On we go. Poor Harold is in a bad way, but this is not going to be dark so don't worry. I can't say when I am going to post each chapter but this story will be completed.

As always I don't own the characters of Harold, Albert and Hercules.

Chapter 4

Harold didn't care where he was going, he just wanted to get away from home.

Home? That's a laugh. It's not home, it's where I sleep. I can't keep doing this, I can't live like this.

He walked for what seemed like hours but when he checked his watch he had been out about 90 minutes. It wasn't a cold night but he really wanted a cup of tea. Looking around to get his bearings he realised there was an all-night cafe a few streets away so made his way there.

A few minutes later he entered the cafe, it was cheap and cheerful and surprisingly clean. He walked up to the counter.

"Hello Harold, long time no see." Said the man behind the counter, a tall, heftily built man with red hair and a permanent smile.

"Hello Bert, give us a cup of tea will you."

"Coming right up. Take a seat and I'll bring it over." Harold looked around at the empty tables, choosing one in the corner out of the way. Bert brought two teas over and sat down with him. "Don't often see you in here at this time Harold, you starting early?"

"Nah mate. I was out walking and fancied a cup of tea."

"Something wrong mate? You don't look right to me." Harold gave a huge sigh.

"How long have you got?" Bert looked around the empty cafe.

"Unless a coach load come in I reckon I've got a few hours. It's a bit slow at the moment."

So Harold told him. He told Bert everything that had happened the last few weeks, how he had managed to get some sort of life for himself and how his father still wanted to bring him down. Bert listened silently, only stopping Harold to get two fresh mugs of tea.

Eventually Harold stopped talking and drank his now cold tea. Neither of them spoke for several minutes, then Bert got to his feet.

"Fancy a fry-up Harold?" Harold stared at him. "You must be hungry, I know I am. You like a bit of everything don't you?" Harold nodded. "OK, won't be long." And he went into the kitchen, leaving Harold completely baffled. He had just poured his heart out to this man and now he had left him to cook breakfast? He considered leaving but his stomach was growling at the thought of a breakfast he could only dream of at home.

Bert returned shortly with two plates which he put down before fetching cutlery.

"Get your laughing gear around that Harold." Harold looked down at his plate. It held bacon, sausage, egg, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes and fried bread. And it smelled wonderful. He picked up his knife and fork and started to dig in.

Strangely, after confessing to Bert and now eating his breakfast he was feeling much better, things didn't seem anywhere near as bad as they had when he was walking the streets.

I'll go back when I've eaten this. I'll thank Bert then make my way home, Dad won't know a thing. Living there isn't so bad, I can stick it.

When they had both eaten Bert got them both another mug of tea then sat and looked squarely at Harold.

"OK Harold mate, I've decided what you should do."

"So have I." Said Harold. "Your listening to me and eating that great breakfast has made me feel positive again, sorry if I made you miserable." He went to get up but Bert stopped him.

"How may times has this happened Harold? How many times has your dad driven you to walk out only for you to go skulking back? How many more times does this have to happen before you realise he is just draining you of all the good in your life?"

"But-but-" Began Harold, but Bert held up his hand.

"You are going to tell me he needs you aren't you? He doesn't need you, he needs someone whose life he can control. Is that really what you want? I know he's old and he won't last forever, but while he is here do you really want him making your life miserable? And enjoying watching the life draining from you, taking away everything you enjoy, everything you want to do." Harold said nothing, he didn't know what to say to that. "Know what your problem is Harold? You are loyal to the point of destroying yourself. It is time you started thinking about Harold, not Albert the leech."

"He's not a leech."

"Yes he is, he always has been and always will be." Harold opened his mouth then closed it. Bert was right, he couldn't deny it. He had been denying it for so many years but now he had to admit it. He looked helplessly at Bert.

"What can I do?"