Winning haircut Thomas+3 by Barbershop memmories

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I'm ok now,, turn the record down and i'll tell you the rest.

In a flash i reached over and lifted the arm up off the record with the lever.
I'm ok now,, turn the record down and i'll tell you the rest.

In a flash i reached over and lifted the arm up off the record with the lever.

Eeerrrr, were was i Chris?.

Fletcher was sharpenning the razor on a leather belt and that Baxter was sat in front of you watching.

It must be horrible for you if he's going to be your new Dad.

Oh, he's not really as bad as you think actually,

But he caned you on your second day there didn't he?

Just cos you forgot to say Sir.

He explained about that, he said he was sorry about what happened but it would have been far worse for me if i forgot to answer Mr simpson without saying Sir.

Two lenient strokes from him was far better than the "Six of the best" i would have received from Mr simpson my house master,,

It was the best option he could think of at the time to help me remember the school rules regarding manners and being respectful.
He really hopes we can put what happened behind us and get along, "it wasn't so bad was it"? He asked me...

No not really,, i never forgot to say Sir again did i Sir,, so i suppose it worked,, that made him smile,, i think he's on my side, It,, it was my Mum,, she's the real reason my hair ended up as short as it did.

It was bad enough not knowing what i looked like, the only clue i had as to how short it actually was, was the cool air i could feel high up around the sides and back of my head,

Not knowing what Mr Fletcher was going to do with the razor worried me a little,,. But the things he said as he was slapping it back and forth on the leather strap, made me really nervous.

Why, what did he say, WwWhat happened,,. I was completely engrossed.

I had a good chat with your Mother on the phone yesterday, he said as he sharpened the razor, she thinks you're old enough now to come by yourself, so i'll be seeing you every second saturday from now on, as that qualifies you for the two weekly half price discount i offer for regular attendance .

She thinks an authentic traditional 1950's boys short back and sides haircut experience will be good for you.

Very short, Very smart, and NO LENIENCY,,, Were your Moms exact words and we wouldn't want to disappoint her would we.... well,, would We BOY?...

No sir,, i said nervously.

Don't worry young man,,as it's your first time in a propper Barbershop i'll explain what it is your Mother wants and exactly what i'm going to do as we go along,, would you like that.

Yyes please Sir.

Well,, for the authentic traditional 1950's boys haircut your Mum wants for you, Short and Smart would mean a tapered finish to your back and sides with clippers,,
The shorter the cut, the smarter the look, i always say,, and you being a good boy,, i'm sure you agree, don't you.

Y,yes S'sir.,, his wicked game began.

However, your Mother didn't say short and smart, she wants it VERY SHORT,,, and VERY SMART,,, which for you would have resulted in me giving you a much higher and more severe shearing with the clippers followed by a little razor treatment,, but she also insisted on "NO LENIENCY",, Now tell me Thomas, what do you think that means,,

Eerr, i i don't know Sir.

An authentic, no leiency, traditional haircut means the sides and back of your head will get a severely short manual clipping and then be shaved clean with the razor.

But first the top will need a lot more thinning out to keep it in proportion with the bare sides and back and little more work with the clippers at the back and below the parting to give it a nice crisp, freshly clipped, sharp taper, and when that's done i'll use the solingens to get rid of all the bristles left by the electric clippers on the sides and back, then finally we'll get them all soaped and shaved,

I was so nervous, Ww,what are solingens, i asked.

Ohh don't worry lad you'll find out soon enough.

I was so nervous, he's not a very nice man is he.

NOT VERY NICE!,, That Fletcher's horrible,, He enjoys making you nervous, he used those things on me a few years ago, he's a clever manipulating bast,, so an so,,

How,, what happened Chris.

It was the middle of July, the first saturday of the six week school holidays,, after a lot of pestering on the bus ride into town my Mam finally agreed to let me just get a trim,, so i was more calm than usual as he tucked the cape in.

He pumped the chair up and combed through my hair, i'd managed to avoid getting it cut for well over 3 months, it was the longest it had ever been.

Short back and sides is it? he asked my Mam.

No just a trim today please, but can you be really quick, i don't want to miss the 12 o'clock bus and i still need to pick my coat up from the cleaners next door.

He picked up the clippers and put a plastic guard on them,, what's he doing, i thought to myself.

But he knew exactly what he was doing,

It's quater to twelve already, a trim will take far to long, a basic crew cut is the quickest option i can think of, if you want to make the 12 o'clock bus,

A crew cut,, isn't that what those skinheads get,, i don't want him looking like a hooligan Mum said.

Don't worry i'll do his back and sides shorter than the top, that's a different look alltogether, go get your coat, i shoud have him done by the time you get back, as seen as you're in a hurry pay me next time you bring him, how's that.

That's how he does it, how could my Mum refuse.

As she opened the door to walk out,,, Is a number two on top, zero sides and back ok for you,, yes, yes, whatever, she said,,, Mum was in such a hurry she wasn't really listening and he knew it.

Ohh WOW Chris,, didn't you say anything?

Yeah,, I said can't i just have a quick trim,,,

Please Mr Fletcher,, i pleaded.

Don't you like looking smart boy?,, No, i,i mean y'yes, but can't you just give me a quick trim.

Ok son, i suppose so, he said, one quick trim comming up.

Hold still and look straight foreward,,, he clasped my chin then CLACK,, then he ran the clippers with the guard on them over the top of my head front to back 6 or 7 times, then he took the guard off the clippers and ran them high up the back and sides all the way around my head,

Two men came in, one of them had a big posh camera round his neck, Fletcher walked over and shook hands with them, a second later my Mam opened the door and popped her head in, Mary has offered us a lift home so their's plenty of time, we're going to the cafe over the road for a coffee i'll be back in 15 minutes ok.

Madam, Madam, is your son taking part in the summer special charity event, can we get a picture of the two of you for the article when he's finished.

Eer erm,i,i don't.know what d'you mean,,

Then Mam saw me in the chair,, OH MY! that's very short she said.

IT IS, what you asked for Madam,, "a number two on top, zero back and sides" oh, eerm, yes i, i suppose i did didn't i.

Best summer cut for a young man i've always thought and very benificial considering the heatwave the weather man's predicting this summer.

But what are these gentlemen on about.

We're holding a boys haircut charity event today, Fletcher said with a big friendly smile,, the nottingham post is donating five pounds for every boy that takes part, all the money raised is going to the local childrens home, the local scout group are all taking part,, they aren't due here till twelve thirty so their's plenty of time,,,

All you need do if you want to enter him into it,, is put his name down and your signature on this form and the childrens home will receive an extra 5 POUNDS,, here,, i have a pen, he'll also get a free tidy up haircut here on the last sunday of the school holls before the new school term starts.

WOW! 5 POUNDS, Mam said as she signed it,, How could i refuse if it's for the childrens home i think it's a wonderful idea, i'll just go over to the cafe to finnish my coffe and get Mary.

BUT MAM! my friend Dave's in the scouts and he told me about this, he said something about hand clippers and getting shaved.

Dont look so worried Christopher it's only hair, it'll soon grow back, now do as you're told and be a good boy do you here me,, we'll be back before you know it.

No need to rush Madam, i'll take my time and explain everything to him as we go, that should help put him at ease.

Won't be long, Mam said, as she walked out.

These are the hand clippers your friend told you about, i'm going to shear you again with these first, they cut so short it makes the wet shaving much quicker, and easier.

You look a little worried, you must keep your head very still so i think it best for you if i turn you away from the mirror, he turned me round and bent my head right down, a clicking sound started and i felt them scrunching their way up the back of my head again and again, then up both sides,
Don't worry, you're doing just fine, just the top to do now,, then when we're done i'll turn you back round so you can have a look,, would you like that Christopher.

Yes please, i said.

He clasped the back of my head and ran the hand clippers backwards over the top of my head repeatedly, a minuet or two later he put put the clippers down on the counter and turned me round.

I didn't recognise myself,, C'Can i g'go now p'p'please, i could feel me eyes welling up with tears

We're not finished yet. If you're not shaved, The paper won't pay, is that right,, he looked over at the reporter, yes that's correct, your picture will be in mondays evening post along with all the other boys taking part.

B'but i i'm bald already,,, he rubed his hand over the top of my head, do you hear that, here let me show you, he lifted my hand out from under the cape, go on Christopher, tell me what it feels like, i rubbed the palm of my hand and fingers over my head.

It'it's not very nice, it it feels like sand paper, and i really don't like the scraping sound it makes when i rub it, i said,, don't worry,, once its shaved it'll feel a lot nicer,

He brushed hot soapy lather all over my head, turned me away from the mirror again and shaved me, he put the razor down and wrapped a hot damp towel around my head.

Just for you,, because your Mummy's not here yet i'll shave it again,, a second shave against the grain will get it so smooth, it won't make any sound at all and it will look great for the photo, hows that.

He wrapped a hot damp flannel around my head then sharpened the razor on the leather strop again,
This time he rubbed warm oil into my head using his hands, after wiping them dry he took the razor and started shaving the top of my head from front back an inch or two at a time, that's it keep very still, good lad he was saying to me, the shaving seemed to go on for ages , he would rub his thumb over the section he had just shaved, if it wasn't completely smooth he shaved it again until it was, ok , i think we're done, he said.

He wiped my head over with a flannel and was drying it with a soft towel when my Mam and her friend came in.

We didn't mean to be so long but we just got chatting. Is he done, i'm really quite nervous now, is he ok, how's he been,? He's been very good, are you ready,
Mum nodded, she had her hand over her mouth in anticipation.

He removed the towel,, Aaaggh she screeched then she began to giggle,,, oohh my word,, I,I dont know what to say. I think he suits it, it'll look great once he gets a bit of sun on it, my Mams friend Mary said

He removed the cape. Go on lad see how much better it feels now, he didn't like the bristly feel so i've done it extra smooth for him,, excellent job, to not leave a single nick is quite rare and i should know being a hairdresser myself, Mary said.

I rubbed my hand back and forth over my head, it was completely smooth, my lips began to tremble, i couldn't speak,,,

This baby oil will help stop any irritation and stand out better in the photo then we'll turn you round, ok.

He squirted the baby oil on the top of my head, then,, using both his hands,, he began to slowly rub, and massage it in, all over my head.
My head felt slippery at first but after a minuet or two it began to feel like rubber, and when he rubbed a litte harder it even made a squeaky sound like rubber.

Their, all done, ok, i felt it again, it was so smooth.

Big smile, flash, the photographer took my picture, all i could manage was a tight lipped smile,, then he turned me round,

My head looked almost white and so shiny.

We're going to get you a present before we drive home, what would you like.
Can i get an airfix model, i'll buy that for him Mary said.

Didn't you cry Chris, asked Tom.

No way,, that's what Fletcher wanted. The thought of my present helped,, if i tell you something can i trust you not to say owt, swear it, i said

Ok Chris, i swear it, you won't tell anyone what iv'e told you either, will you.

I already prommised you remember, we both shook hands on it.

Well go on then Chris.

Ok, WELL,,,, when the shock of what had happened started to wear off,, i was sat in the back of Mary's car on the way home,, i just couldn't help it,, HELP WHAT?,, feeling my head,, i just couldn't stop running the palm of my hand up and down the sides and over the top, it felt amazing i'd stop rubbing it and before i knew it, i was doing it again, you like that,, feels good doesn't it Christopher, but that nice smooth feeling wont last for long Mary said.

Mary lived accross the road from us.

We got out the car and went in her house.

Put the kettle on Iris and you come with me, what was that model you want, i'll get a pen, as i followed her into the back room,, Ha, look you're doing it again.

I froze, she lifted my hand off the top of my head with one hand and gently rubbed her other hand around the sides of my head and over the top.

I felt myself going red, no need to get embarrased,,, she smiled at me,, come and see me on monday at 2 oclock and i'll give you your pressent ok

The second we got home i came straight up here and sat right where you are now, i took that mirror down off the wall and stood it up in front of me so i could see myself as i rubbed my hands over my head,

I bet you think i'm a right wierdo don't you,, you better not tell anyone.

I don't,, and i won't,, honest, i know what you mean but why does it feel so good,, even though i'm dreading having to go back to Fletchers on my own next week, their's another part of me that feel exited by the idea, i can't help thinking about it, it just doesn't make sense.

Wow,, i thought i was the only one that felt like that, what time are you going.

As soon as he opens at 9 oclock, hopefully no one else will be there.

Let me come with you and i'll tell you my biggest secret,,, l never thought i'd tell anyone this cos it's really embarrassing.

Ok go on then.

I was a bit of a hero when people saw the pictures and read the story in the paper about all the money raised for the childrens home, so none of the other lads in my street dared take the mick out of me espescially after an older boy called Ste Mitchell threatened them.

On monday at 2 oclock i went over to Mary's to get my present, she took me through into the kitchen and gave me the aifix model i wanted,,,,, i've got another little surprise for you, sit yourself down on this stool,, i did as she said,, she rubbed my.head,,

I was right wasn't i,, doesn't feel as good now does it.

Yeah i know,, i said without thinking,, err, i'i mean eer, it's ok Christopher don't worry, when i'm done with this it won't look hardly any different to what it does now, but it's going to feel so much nicer,, w,why w,what is it,, it's a Gillette Trac 2, she filled the sink with hot water and left the hot tap running, then bent me right over it and poured cups of hot water over my head, just tell me if it gets too hot, i'm ok i said, right i think your'e done, she sat me up and turned the high stool round, can you see ok, she said as she tilted a large mirror on the kitchen table,, yeah that's it,, my head looked pink, i could see steam comming off it, she covered my head with shaving foam and picked the razor up.

Well Christopher, it's up to you, YES, or NO,

Yes please,, Ha,, i knew it she said, then she shav3d my head again for me.

As i was leaving, it felt so good, i asked if i could come again, wednesday and friday but thats it she said, that gives you 5 week for it to grow before you go back to school.

Right, your turn again, where were you.

Eerr, Ohh yeah.

Please Sir can i see what it looks like first,, i said.

Of course.he said,, he picked the hand held mirror up. And turned me round to face the large wall mirror.

I was so shocked when i saw myself, the sides looked so pale and were clipped so high,,, he showed me the back with the mirror he was holding which was just as bad as the sides,, well Boy?

Eerm ehh,well it,, it's,,, Mr Fletcher interrupted me, it's Not as smart as you were hoping eh, well not to worry, we're not finnished yet, no need to fret young man,

He put the mirror down and combed the longer hair on the top over to the right side covering over the bristles on the right side of my head by an inch or so, he tilted my head over to the left then he lifted the hair on the right side up with a comb and began running the clippers accross the comb, it kept getting shorter and shorter and higher after each pass.

Head down boy, he ordered, then did the same thing with the comb and clippers high up at the back of my head, after a few minuets he stopped, lifted my head up and tilted it over to the right and began clipping away at the half inch or so of hair still remaining beneath the parting on the left side, tapering and blending them seamlessly into the bristles left behind from the initial clipping he'd given me.

He brushed away the loose hairs, rubbed some white cream into my hair and combed it all neatly then showed me the sides and around the back with the mirror.

Now how's that for you,,, Much smarter now with a nice crisply clipped tapered finnish don't you think,,, Well BOY?!

What did you say to him Tom ?

I swallowed hard, just nodded and said yes Sir.

Don't look so worried young man, we're not finished yet, it'll look much better once we get you soaped and shaved, you'll see,

Don't worry Thomas, their's a good lad, Mr Fletcher is a very good Barber, i know it's a bit of a shock for you right now, but it's for the best and i'm sure you'll soon get used to it,
You do want to look smart, don't you Thomas, Mr Baxter said.

Y,yes Sir.

Ahh, your Mum's back.

Mr Baxter walked over and unlocked the door for her as Fletcher was running a hot tap over a towel in the sink right in front of me then he locked it again behind her.

Did you get it? Mr Baxter said.

Yes, black and white not colour like you suggested, it's in the camera and Graham found his old school cap, and the photo i told you about, it's in my handbag, you won't belive how alike they are, we'll take a photo when he's done and compare them, my Mum said exitedly,

What were they on about Tom, i asked.

She wanted a photo of me to compare it with a photo of my uncle Graham, thats why she made me wear short trousers, the two photos really do look identical.

Ok Tom, sorry,, go on then, what happened next, i was so intrigued.

She walked over and stood behind me then ran the palm of her hand up the back and sides of my head, rubbing and feeling the bristles with her fingeres. Ohh, Hmmmm.

You don't seem to pleased, what are you thinking mr Baxter asked her,, i'm not really sure, i'm not too keen on all those bristles, it's not quite as smart looking as i was hoping, she said as she sat down with him.

For a moment i felt a bit happier, i could see her via the mirror sitting behind me, the fact that she didn't like it so short, (or so i thought) seemed to cheer me up a bit for some reason.

Why did she have to go shopping, she might have stopped him going so high up with the clippers, i thought to myself.

Too short Madam? Inquired Mr Fletcher.

As a young girl, every fourth saturday my Father would take my younger brother Graham and I into town, first they would get their haircut at Smiths Barbershop then after the Barbers he would take us to the Lyons tea house as a treat.

Do you mind Madam? Fletcher said as he took a cigarrette packet out of the pocket of his pale blue nylon barbers jacket.

No, not at all.

Go on i'm listening, he said as he lit a cigarrette and sat down next to her.

It's one of my fondest memories. Sitting and chatting to my Dad in the Barbershop and watching the barber.

Graham was always first in the chair then my Father.

What's he having George, the barber would say to my Father.

Short back and sides parted to the right,
Very short,, Very smart..and No leniency thankyou..
..
I must of heard my Father say that exact same thing twenty times or more,,,

My brother always looked smart,, Father was very particular on smartness, but i can remember one saturday in particular, it was September, just 2 days before the new school year started.

Thomas was starting his first year as a senior at Grammar school after passing the 11+, his hair looked ever so smart that day, it's how i was hoping Thomas's would look.

The usual sir. The barber asked Dad as he pumped the chair up.

Ask Graham it will be his choice from now on, i think he's earned it, he starts Grammar school on Monday, we're all so proud of him, my Dad told him.

Well Master Graham what are we having,, your usual, or something a little different today,

Please Sir,,,i'd really like to have something different today, if that's ok Sir.

I'm guessing you would like a more lenient, less severe clipping with the with the Wahl pro's today,

No sir, i don't want the wahl clippers at all today, i want it cutting just you do my Dads please.

OH MY WORD!! Mum exclaimed.

What is it Alice,, What's up? Mr Baxter asked.

The memory of that saturday is suddenly so clear and vivid, it's as if i was there.

Every detail has come back to me, how i felt, the smell inside the barbershop and the grey cape that had a sheen to it, even what we where both wearing,

We had been to the school outfitters that morning then as a treat, after the Barbers we were getting our photos taken at Applebys Photographers, that's why Father had allowed us to keep our new uniforms on.

Now where was i?

I twisted round in the chair and looked at my Mum, Uncle Graham had just told the Barber that he didn't want the Wahl clippers, he wanted it cut the same way as Grandads,, i don't like the clippers either Mum, Miss Hamilton doesn't use clippers to do my short back and sides when you take me there with you,, i really didn't like that loud buzzing noise they made, I told her.

Yes that's right Thomas. He didn't have the electric clippers that day it was something else,, i just can't remember what, but for some reason or other, his haircut that day looked so much smarter. Ohh i wish i could remember why.

I remember Dad saying "go on then Graham,, Mr Smith hasn't got all day, their's other customers waiting".

Well Sir, what are we having, Mr Smith said,,,,,,,,.

Graham looked up at the barber then over at my Dad,, Ohh, err, that's me isn't it,, err, the older customers, mostly Dads with their sons started laughing, Graham to his credit held his nerve and shut them up in an instant by pretending to act like a grown up, he was ever so clever.

Mr Smith the Barber got in on the act too, it was almost as if they had rehearsed it

I'll have my usual short back and sides please Barber,,, very short, very smart, with a parting to the right.

I want to make a good impression on my first day at Grammar school, first impressions are so imortant don't you think.

I do indeed Sir Mr Smith replied with a smile.

In that case, May i have the manual clippers, No Leniency and the razor to finish, please.

You certainly can Sir, it will be A PLEASURE SIR.

Ohh that's it,,. I remember now,, it was the manual hand clippers and the razor, thats why he looked so much smarter that day.

I can't beleive i forgot about that, but i can certainly remember them now, it was the sound they made, i really liked that clicky clacky sound, i don't know why but i really enjoyed watching Grahams haircut that day,,.
Theyd've been better for Thomas considering he doesn't like the loud buzzing noise of the electric ones.

I can still remember the big smile on Grahams face as he looked up at the Barber and said thankyou Sir after he was shown the back with the mirror when it was finished.

I even remember the smell of Brylcreem in his hair as he sat back down next to me.

He thought he was the bees knees in his new grammar school uniform, i can even remember how clean and fresh our new uniforms smelled and how smart he looked in his.

I can see him now, he looked ever so smart and proud of himself as we sat chatting while our Father was getting his done.

I was hoping Thomas would look as smart as my brother did that Saturday, This is the photo from the photographers that day, she opened her handbag and showed it to Mr Fletcher.

He got up and walked over to a drawer at the end of the counter and took what i recognized as a large photo album out and sat down next to my Mum.

Here let me show you what i had in mind.

Oh my,, is that you as a boy,, i didn't know you were German.

Yes my origional name was Fleischer, i began working in my fathers barbershop when i was twelve and started my Barber apprenticeship at fourteen.

I was listening and watching him via the mirror sat next to my Mum as he turned the albulm pages over and pointed out certain photos

I would have been a little older than Thomas there, most German boys in the Deutsches Jungvolk had that type of haircut.

Back then boys haircuts were normally left up to the Barber.

It was the same routine for all boys,

When it was your turn, the Barber would simply look over at you and nod.

You got up and sat in the chair and he caped you.

Boys didn't pick or choose their haircut.

Parents relied on the barbers knowledge and experience to decide what haircut would best suit their child,, head shape, hairline, the thickness and type of hair etcetera are some of the factors Barbers have to take into account, as a boy you only spoke if you were spoken to or thank him when you were done.

What would a boy say, to thank the Barber,, in German i mean. Mum asked

Vielen Dank, mein Herr, Auf Wierdesehen which means, Many Thanks Sir Goodbye.

Did you hear that Thomas, can you say that?

I repeated what he said.

Very good, well done boy, good accent also, said Fletcher.

He's top of his class in German you know, she told Mr Fletcher proudly.

Ahh look here,,, the three boys on this page are very smart,,. Something like that i think, yes?

Ohh yes,, that boy there, it's just like Grahams That's the haircut i want for Thomas,,, No untidy looking bristles, that's much more like it, very smart,, very smart indeed.

Mr Fletcher took something out of the drawer under the counter and picked up a can of 3 in 1 oil off the shelf above it.

These are German Solingen tripple zero manual clippers, a few drops of oil like this,, Und Schwupps!,, or should i say,, Hey Presto. They're just the ticket and will soon rid him of those bristles you dislike so much,, then to follow i suggest a wet shave with the straight razor.

Shaving the sides and back against the grain will give the boy that really clean smart fresh look you're after.

Oh you're so helpfull, i'm so glad we brought Thomas here.

Is this the sound you remember?

I heard a faint raspy rapid clicky sound behind me.


Ohh Wow,, that's it,, that's the exact same sound, Mum said gleefully.

Well then, shall we get on with it Madam.

OH YES,, but first could you turn him round to face me, so i can see better,

I'll leave him facing the mirror and clip the back first, i'll stand to one side as i clip him so you can see, then turn turn him round to face you when i do the sides, that way you won't miss a thing, how's that for you.

Perfect,, she said

He stood behind me and put his hands on my shoulders, put your head down and keep it very still boy.

VERY SHORT, VERY SMART, AND NO LENIENCY, if i remember your Moms words correctly, is that how you want it also Thomas, Fletcher asked

I swallowed hard, Yeah ok,,i,i suppose so, but i really don't want to be shaved with the razor.

Manners Thomas,, show Mr Fletcher some respect when you answer him,, Mum barked at me,

I still can't believe what happened next, the way Fletcher manipulated me and what Mum made me do, me winning that chorister competition was all she cared about, she was obsessed.

Why,, W,What happened Tom,, what did she do?

There was a tap on the window.

Oh my God it's Mr Lyons,, the senior judge mr Baxter exclaimed.

I wonder what HE wants, Mum said to him.

Mr Fletcher unlocked the door, can i help you sir?

My Grandson needs a haircut.

No problem sir, we don't officially open till 9 am but as you're here i'll open now.

I want to get a morning paper we'll be back in a minuet is that ok,, yes of course sir.

My Mum came over and leaned over me.

That gentlman is the very reason you're here,, she said quietly, i told you about his old fashioned values and preferences for things like smartness, good behaviour and good manners didn't i,,,, DIDN'T I?!!

YYES MUM.

This is your chance to make a really good impression , so if anyone asks you a question or suggests something to you,, you better make sure you answer them politely and respectfully, i want to hear an enthusiastic yes please sir and thankyou sir when Mr Fletcher speaks to you, not yeah, i suppose so, NOW, is that clear,,.

Yes Mum.
Mr Fletcher was stood right next to my Mum and heard everything she said to me,,. Don't worry Madam, i think i know just how to handle this, trust me, he said with a nod and a wink.

As Mum sat back down Mr Lyons walked in with his grandson and they sat down leaving an empty seat between them, and my Mum and Mr Baxter, lovely morning isn't it, yes, thirty degrees today they reckon.

Now there's something you don't see very often these days, and more's the pity i say,, Lyons said loudly.

What's that, Mum asked.

A boy getting a decent and proper haircut,,, does he protest,, i'll wager he does.

On the contrary, very short and very smart is how he likes it , don't you Thomas.

Yes Mum i said, looking at her via the mirror, trying my best to sound and look happy about it.

Mr Fletcher picked the hand clippers up.

Put your head right down,, i felt his hand clasp accross the top of my head and force it down even further, then the rapid clicking started as they scraped up the back of my neck up to the top of my head, after 5 or 6 minuets the sides and back were done.

Do you still want the sides and back shaved with the razor, Fletcher asked me.

Mum stared at me,, go on Thomas,, no need to be shy, if you want the razor just ask him.

E'erm, p'please sir, may i have the razor.

You may, and do you want all the sides and back shaved clean.

Y'yes please Sir.

Fletcher smiled.

Thats how it ended up as short as this.


Eeerrrr, were was i Chris?.

Fletcher was sharpenning the razor on a leather belt and that Baxter was sat in front of you watching.

It must be horrible for you if he's going to be your new Dad.

Oh, he's not really as bad as you think actually,

But he caned you on your second day there didn't he?

Just cos you forgot to say Sir.

He explained about that, he said he was sorry about what happened but it would have been far worse for me if i forgot to answer Mr simpson without saying Sir.

Two lenient strokes from him was far better than the "Six of the best" i would have received from Mr simpson my house master,,

It was the best option he could think of at the time to help me remember the school rules regarding manners and being respectful.
He really hopes we can put what happened behind us and get along, "it wasn't so bad was it"? He asked me...

No not really,, i never forgot to say Sir again did i Sir,, so i suppose it worked,, that made him smile,, i think he's on my side, It,, it was my Mum,, she's the real reason my hair ended up as short as it did.

It was bad enough not knowing what i looked like, the only clue i had as to how short it actually was, was the cool air i could feel high up around the sides and back of my head,

Not knowing what Mr Fletcher was going to do with the razor worried me a little,,. But the things he said as he was slapping it back and forth on the leather strap, made me really nervous.

Why, what did he say, WwWhat happened,,. I was completely engrossed.

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