Is Harold free? It certainly seems things are finally going his way.

As always Harold, Albert and Hercules are owned by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, geniuses beyond compare.

Chapter 8

Harold said goodbye to Bert and made his way to The Grapes, a friendly, welcoming pub that sold very good beer.

As he entered the noisy lounge he looked around for his friends.

"Harry, over here!" Looking around he saw a group of people waving to him from a table in the corner. He signalled he had seen them and bought a pint before making his way over to them and sitting on the only spare stool.

"Good to see you Harry, glad you could join us."

"Thanks, I saw Jan when she collected the sandwiches and she told me you were here tonight and invited me along. I've never played in a quiz before, I might not be able to answer any questions."

"Don't worry about that." Said Roger cheerfully. "We play for fun, not to win."

"I rarely answer a question." Said Yvonne. "But they still let me play." They all laughed at that.

"Jan tells us you have news." Said Pete. "Do tell." Harold took a swallow of his beer.

"It all started after I left you the other night." He went on to tell them all that had happened since he last saw them. They didn't interrupt him but there were several expletives when it came to his battle with his father.

"So that's it." He finished. "Everything has changed since you last saw me, and all for the better."

"You certainly look good for it Harry, you're a different person."

"I feel a different person Ben, I really do. I'm free."

"So you are now living with Bert who makes the sandwiches for us?" This was Carole.

"Yes, he's been brilliant. He's the one who encouraged me to do it and now he's letting me stay with him. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank him for what he has done."

"You will, when you make something of your life and don't go back to that git of a father of yours." The rest of them nodded.

"Yes, you are probably right."

The quiz began. From the start it was easy to see which teams took it seriously and which ones were there for the fun of it. To Harold's surprise and the delight of the team he answered a couple of questions which took them into third place.

"You are definitely our lucky mascot Harry." Said Stuart as there was a break for drinks. "We have never done this well before."

"I was lucky." Harold admitted. "I haven't known any of the other answers."

"Doesn't matter." This was Yvonne. "You knew the answers when the rest of us didn't, those points could be crucial."

The quiz restarted. As most of the players had been drinking throughout it became a little less serious and a little more rowdy, though still on the friendly side. To their astonishment Harold's team were doing really well and were in second place.

"They don't like it." Said Roger indicating the team who usually won. Harold looked over and saw the 3 men and a woman giving them very dirty looks.

"Do them good to have some competition for once." Said Jan. "They are always so smug when they win, as if they are better than us."

It came down to the final question.

"Ok everyone." Said the landlord. "Listen carefully, this is the last question. What is another name for a rag-and-bone-man?" The team looked at each other in amazement and burst out laughing. "Quiet please." The landlord admonished.

"They don't know." Said Louise. "Look at their faces." It was true, the other team were completely stumped by the question.

They celebrated their win with more drinks as everyone enjoyed the sandwiches.

"You really did bring us luck Harry." Said Pete. "We wouldn't have got that last question if we hadn't known you, plus the questions you answered.

We'll probably never come close to winning again but thanks to you this has been a great night."

It has been a great night, one of the best nights of my life.