At the Barbers with Aunt Brenda by M G

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When i was 10 years of age my mother was really ill and following hospitalisation had to convalesce for three months,my Dad who worked nights full time was unable to look after me so i had to go and live with my aunt Brenda on the other side of the city. I didn't really care for aunt Brenda who was my mothers older sister of some fifteen years. She had married into money,but unfortunately her husband had died and her son my older cousin was now in the armed forces.Aunt Brenda was bespectacled wore her hair tied in a tight bun wore smart tweed suits,with highly polished brownish leather below the knee boots and smoked small cigars.I always found her a bit bossy and snooty.After my dad dropped me off i was sent upstairs to unpack my suitcase and following that went into aunt Brenda's huge lounge whereupon Aunt Brenda pointed out the house rules to me.She then said," You could do with a proper haircut young man,come on i am taking you to the barbers". I had a bad feeling about this i remember seeing my older cousin having a really close cut hair. We went in her car and stopped outside a traditional looking barbers in the high street.Above the door was a huge sign,"Barbershop".It was all glass fronted and looked like a goldfish bowl."Right in we go young man."Inside the shop there were three black leather barbers chairs,but only one barber present.''Take a seat young man" said the barber and pointed to the chair nearest the window.I sat in the chair and the barber draped the cape around my neck."Square neck and leave it longer on top please" i said.Aunt Brenda who was sat behind me said sternly," I want you to give him a close crewcut on top and i want it as close and as high as you can at the back and sides please",she then proceeded to light one of her cigars,blowing blue smoke into the air. There was no point in arguing with her so i sat there meekly awaiting my fate.The barber switched on his electric clippers and glided them over my head,the cape was covered in my hair and within five minutes i was virtually bald.The barber then razored my neck before turning to aunt Brenda and saying,There you go madam." Aunt Brenda stood up and moved behind me, adding approvingly,"Thats just the way i like it and while you live with me thats the way you will keep it".Aunt Brenda thanked and paid the barber and we left the shop, whereupon my head felt extremely cold. "Your head will feel cold until you get used to it'',she said smiling.Four weeks later Aunt Brenda took me back to the barbers and this time i was completely relaxed about it,having got used to my Aunt Brenda and to my new haircut.

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