I am sorry it has taken so long to upload this chapter. As well as it being a rather difficult chapter to write as I wasn't sure which way to take it I have had problems with my laptop. The keyboard stopped working which is rather a hindrance when you want to type something. Now the shiny new laptop is in place and I am ready to go.

As always the characters of Harold, Albert and Hercules belong to the comedy geniuses of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Chapter 11

They all arrived at the cafe as Harold was washing dishes. Bert supplied them with tea and coffee while they waited for him to join them.

"Not having anything to eat Harry?" Asked Louise. He shook his head.

"Can't face anything yet, just want to get this done."

"Come on then Harry." Said Pete. All the men got up, then Jan came over and hugged Harold.

"Good luck Harry, I know how difficult this must be for you. We'll wait for you here."

"Thanks Jan, I appreciate it." The men left the cafe and got into Roger's car. The girls watched them drive off.

"Don't worry ladies." Bert came over with more coffee and a plate of cakes. "He will be fine."

The short drive was silent. The men sensed Harry did not want to talk so they sat quietly until they reached Oil Drum Lane. Harold got out without speaking and looked at the gates which were closed.

"Why are they closed? They shouldn't be closed." He opened the gates and entered the yard. They heard him call out "Hercules?" Then an agonised "No!" Without a word they all got out of the car and ran into the yard where they saw Harold banging on the door of the house.

"I know you are in there you rancid old git!" He yelled. The door gave way and Harry barged into the house, by the time the others had followed him in he was in the living room with his hands around the throat of a skinny old man in an armchair.

"No Harry!" Pete and Roger pulled him away. "This is not the way to do it. Calm down." They held him firmly and pulled him away from the old man.

"Where is Hercules?" Demanded Harold. "What have you done with him?"

"I had to get rid of him Harold, I couldn't do the round myself and I couldn't afford to feed him without you here. I'm sorry son, I really am."

"You sent him to the knackers yard?" Harold's voice was cold. "That horse that has worked hard for us all these years, you sent him to the knackers yard?"

"I didn't Harold, honest I didn't."

"Then where is he?" Harold snarled.

"The milkman had him."

"What?"

"I gave him to the milkman so he would let me have milk again, I couldn't afford to buy any."

"You gave him to the milkman?"

"Yes Harold, I gave him to the milkman. You can go and see him if you like, the milkman will let you. I wouldn't send him to the knackers yard Harold, I wouldn't."

"You care more about that horse than you do me." Said Harold in a low voice.

"That's because he never left me to fend for myself." Spat the old man. "He was always here, working hard and helping us make money. That's why I didn't send him to the knackers, because he was loyal. Not like you you snivelling no-good loser. Running off and not telling me where you were, leaving me with this house and the yard and the horse. You miserable little git." Without another word Harold left the house, banging each door as he went through it. "And good riddance." The men looked at the old man. "And what are you all looking at?"

"You really shouldn't talk to him like that." Said Stuart.

"And why not? It's all true. He's a snivelling, useless, no-good loser."

"Actually Mr Steptoe." This was Pete. "Your son has a home, a good job and friends who like and respect him. I didn't believe him when he told us about you, I honestly thought he was exaggerating, but now I see he wasn't. If this is how you have spoken to him and treated him all his life I am surprised he is sane and as nice as he is. You really are a nasty, vicious, grasping old leach and Harry is well rid of you." Before Albert could respond Pete turned and left the house, followed by the others.