This was not how he'd thought things were going to be, as he handed his dad a cup of tea. All this effort just to get a girl. Harold knew his dad must be loving it, lapping up the attention of Harold nursing him. Harold was the talk of the hospital, a loving son nursing his dad in hospital, never leaving his side. Harold was doing it partly for his dad and partly hoping that the gossip would reach Lily and impress her. Harold was also always keeping an eye on his father just incase he mentioned that it was his fault and blamed the heart attack on him.

"Harold take me home" Albert whimpered, pleading with his eyes to his son. "I don't want to die in here" He said putting his hand on his sons arm.

"You're not going to die dad, you're going to be fine" He said putting his hand on top of his dad's.

"Please son, I want to go home, I want to die In my own bed please son, I'm frightened, I want to get out of here right now, tonight" Albert sobbed, Harold pulled his dad into his arms and held him close.

"Shhhh calm down, calm down, you're going to be fine dad I promise, I can't take you home right now but I will as soon as I can OK?" With his face pressed into his sons chest Albert nodded. Lily watched the heartbreaking sight biting her bottom lip, he must be the most affectionate son she had ever seen.

Now that Albert was abit better Harold knew that he had to talk to his father about the life changes he would have to introduce. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, his father was stubborn and Harold knew he was going to be faced with resistance.

"Dad about your heart attack...". Harold began "There's some changes that the doctor says needs to be made" Albert raised his eyebrow at his son.

"You need to stop the beer and fags" Harold said bluntly.

"What!! No bitter, what am I going to do without my morning fag" Albert exclaimed, Harold shook his head.

"And you need a better diet, that means no fried foods"

"No sausages either?" Albert gasped, Harold shook his head. "Sod this for a lark, I might as well be dead" Albert cursed, folding his arms and scowling.

"Which you will be if you don't pack it in, so eat a sodding banana and shut up!" Harold snapped tossing a banana at him. He was only trying to do the best for his father, no matter how much they bickered and argued he didn't want his father back in here with another heart attack. So why did his dad have to be so difficult.

Harold had done it, he'd finally done it, he'd arranged to go on a date with Lily. All he had to do was tell his dad that he'd be away for the evening. This is where even at home he would play up, so Harold hated to think what kind of tricks his dad would pull to stop him from going out.

"Dad, I won't be here tonight, I'm going out" Harold said.

"Going out, going out where"? "

" Dad let's not start this again, this is how this started, I'm going out with a girl, a very nice girl"

"Oh charming! So while your dad's on his deathbed dying you're taking some bird out" Albert snapped.

"It bleeding well will be you're deathbed if you start acting up" Harold hissed holding a fist under his father's chin. "Don't spoil this for me dad, I've been by your bedside for days I deserve a night off" Harold sighed and sat in his chair. "Please dad just let me have this, that's all I'm asking" Harold begged, sounding so defeated.

Lily arrived walking up to them in a knee length flowery dress, her long curly hair cascading down her chest.

"Are you ready Harold?" She smiled shuffling her feet nervously. "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Steptoe" Harold gave his father a look, warning him to behave.

"Hello love pleased to meet you" Albert said putting on his fake posh gentlemanly behavior that he usually used when meeting Harold's lady friends after being threatened.

"Go on then son have fun" Harold stood up and went to leave with Lily.

"Oh Haroolldd!" Albert called making Harold turn around. "Be safe if you decide to give her one" Albert said giving his son a malicious toothy grin, Harold glared at his father full of embarrassment, giving his father the face of death. Harold spent the majority of the taxi ride apologising for his father's behaviour.