So here we are, Harold has finally managed to escape his home, his father and his old here we are, Harold has finally managed to escape his home, his father and his old life. What happens next? I hear you ask. Let's find out.

As always Albert, Harold and Hercules belong to Galton and Simpson and no-one else.

Chapter 7

Harold walked away from Oildrum Lane almost in a daze.

I did it, I actually did it. I told him what I thought of him and I left. I'm free!

He picked up speed and made the bus stop as a bus arrived. Jumping on he turned to watch Oildrum Lane disappear, feeling all his cares leave him as he lost sight of it.

Harold reached the cafe where Bert was busy making sandwiches. He waved his knife at Harold.

"Hello there Harold, everything ok mate?"

"Couldn't be better Bert."

"Glad to hear it. Your room is ready so go up whenever you like."

"I'll do that, thanks." And he went upstairs. He found the room as he had left it, small and comfortable. And all mine!

When he had unpacked his belongings and set them out to his liking he went back down to see Bert.

"Anything I can do to help Bert?"

"Pour us a cup of tea Harold, I'm parched here."

"Cup of tea coming up." By the time he brought the tea over Bert had finally finished the sandwiches and packed them in a box.

"Thanks Harold, come and sit down and tell me how it went with Albert."

"Not much to tell to be honest, he had a go at me, I had a go at him and told him what I thought. Packed my stuff and left. He was yelling at me to come back but I ignored him."

"Good lad, I'm proud of you, Can't have been easy."

"Easier than I thought it would be. I told him how I felt and why I was leaving. Of course he said I would be back within a week until I told him I have a job, you should have seen his face! That's when he started wheedling."

"Did he pull the 'You can't leave an old man on his own?' line?"

"Oh yes. I could still hear him as I closed the door." Harold began to laugh, a really belly laugh, the kind he had not enjoyed for years. Bert joined in and they laughed until their faces ached.

"I feel so good." Said Harold wiping tears from his face. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this Bert."

"It is my pleasure mate, truly. It's good to see you looking and sounding so good. Now I have to pop upstairs for a few minutes, if anyone comes in give them a cuppa and I'll be down soon. Oh, and if a young lady called Janet comes in that box of sandwiches are for her. She has paid me."

"Righto Bert." He settled back in his chair and watched people go by as he drank his tea.

After five minutes or so the door opened and a woman came into the cafe.

"Is Bert not here?"

"He's just nipped upstairs, he won't be long."

"Has he left a box of – Harry?"

"Jan! When he said Janet I never thought it would be you. The box is on the counter, do you need any help with it?"

"I can manage thanks, but what are you doing here?"

"I live here now."

"What?"

"If you can spare a few minutes I can tell you what has happened." She looked at her watch.

"I would love to but I can't, I have to get back. Tell you what, come and join us at the pub later and you can tell us all. We are having a quiz night, that's what the sandwiches are for, we take it in turns to supply the food and Bert does great sandwiches."

"I would love to, what pub and what time?"

"The Grapes, get there for half 8. Quiz starts at 9."

"I'll be there, thanks Jan."

"Later Harry." She picked up the box and left. He sat back in his chair and finished his tea, this day was getting better and better.

Bert came down a couple of minutes later and saw the sandwiches were gone.

"Janet came in then Harold?"

"Yes. She said you make the best sandwiches."

"Nice of her to say so, she's a nice girl."

"Oh I know, really nice."

"You know her then?" Harold told Bert how he had met Jan and his visit to the school and how he had met her friends and finally how he had ended up posing for their art class.

"Blimey Harold, I hope you weren't naked."

"Not a hope of that mate. I wore some armour, I think I was supposed to be Alexander the Great. I get to do some of my own next time."

"What, painting?"

"Why not? It's something I've never done and I've always wanted to try it. They are my friends so they won't laugh at me if I make a fool of myself."

"Well if Janet is anything to go by you've got yourself some good friends there."

"Yes I have, for the first time in my life Bert."

"I'm happy to see it Harold."

"You're my friend too Bert - ." He began hurriedly, but Bert waved his hand with a chuckle.

"You and me are mates Harold, and it's good to have mates like us. But friends, they are different. You go out and enjoy yourself with your friends."

"Thanks Bert."