As always I owe everything to the genius of the writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson who brought the Steptoes to life.

Chapter 9

Harold woke early Monday morning and prepared for work. When he got downstairs he found a cooked breakfast and a mug of tea waiting for him.

"You are spoiling me Bert." He said as he began to eat.

"You need a good breakfast inside you today mate. I've made you some sandwiches to take with you for lunch."

"You know Bert, you are going to make some lucky man a wonderful wife one day." At this Bert threw back his head and roared with laughter.

Harold caught the bus that would drop him off close to work, wondering if any of his fellow passengers were also fellow workers.

Today really is a whole new beginning for me.

The bus stopped and several of the passengers got off and made their way to the factory. Harold made a mental note to speak to them the following day, or even that evening when they took the bus home.

It was hard work and his body ached by the time the buzzer went, but he had never felt so good or satisfied.

"You the new bloke?" This was asked as he left the factory and made his way to the bus stop.

"Yes, I started today."

"Thought I hadn't seen you before." He held out his hand. "Tom, Tom Tulley." Harold took his hand and shook it warmly.

"Harold Steptoe."

"Good to meet you Harold."

"My friends call me Harry." Tom beamed.

"It's a pleasure Harry. What did you think of the place?"

"It's good. Noisy, but you get used to that. Everyone was friendly, one or two helped me out when I had a problem. I never felt like the new bloke, if you know what I mean."

"I do, it was like that when I first started here. Where were you before Harry?"

"I was a rag-and-bone man."

"One of the old trades. A few weeks ago my kid came home from school and told us all about this rag-and-bone man who had visited the school with his horse and told them all about it. They were able to pet his horse and he answered all the questions they had. Mikey, that's my kid, said it was one of the best lessons they ever had."

"I just had enough mate. It's a dying trade now and I wanted more out of life while I'm still young enough to enjoy it."

"Don't blame you Harry, don't blame you at all."

The bus came and they got on. Sitting together they found they were only "See you tomorrow Harry." Said Tom as he got off.

"See you Tom, and say hello to Mikey for me."

"Will do."

Harold got off at the next stop and was soon at the cafe. Bert grinned as he closed the door.

"Hello there Harold, how's it gone then?"

"Amazing mate, I don't think I've ever worked so hard in my life but I feel great."

"That's what I like to hear. Want a cuppa before you go up?"

"No thanks mate, I want a bath."

"OK, come down when you are ready."

Harold lay soaking in a hot bath, thinking what had happened today. He could feel all his aches, both physical and mental, melting away in the water.

"I'm a working man, an actual working man."