John awoke Monday morning last day of the school holidays what a great summer it had been but back to school tomorrow . Not just any school but St Edwards grammar school for boys .
His mother was so proud ,nobody in her family had ever been clever enough to go to a grammar school so much so that she had told everyone they knew about it.
Are you getting up john ? Shouted his mother from the kitchen you've a busy day today got to get your blazer ,your hair needs a bit of a trim as well.
Johns hair wasn't long not according to him anyway it barely touched his collar this was 1976 in fact john thought his hair was too short if anything !!!
Still if it pleases his mum trimming the ends wont be that much of a heartbreak for him .
What time is my appointment at Debbie's ? He asked his mum
Debbie's was the hairdressers his mum went to,
john had a crush on Debbie she was about 26 long blonde hair when ever she trimmed johns hair he would go all red faced and shy Debbie thought this was cute and both Debbie and his mum would tease him about it .
Never you mind what time the appointment is get down here now!!!
John got up had breakfast hurry up john we have got to get you your blazer i,ve tried everywhere in town but no joy i,ve spoke to the school and they say there is a shop in Walton that sells them but we've got to get 2 buses so hurry up .
Soon they were out of the house and heading to Walton, first bus was late then the traffic was a nightmare ,by the time they got off the 2nd bus it was 12.15 they found the shop hornes bros
good said his mum however the store was closed for dinner reopens a 1.30
Mum decided they might as well have their dinner in the café across the road
In they went john ordered pie and chips his mother the same ,they sat down then mother true to form starts telling the gentleman on the next table all about john and his new grammar school just like any proud and boastful mum would
The gentleman was delighted that john was about to start at St Edwards as he himself was a former pupil of this school he then told john and his mother about the traditions of St Edwards and its excellent academic records how St Edwards pupils were the smartest most well behaved pupils in the county how their dress code and short haired well groomed boys were the envy of every headmaster in the county .
John and his mother listened to every word john felt uneasy at the phrase short haired but felt safe knowing Debbie would be cutting his hair later.
As the left the café he shook johns hand and said good luck on his first day at school
Johns mum looked at her watch it was 1.30 c'mon on john time to get his blazer
As they approached the shop a smartly dressed man opened the door
May I help you he asked
We've come to buy a blazer for my son she said
We only sell blazers for St Edwards he snootily replied not the local comprehensive
My son is starting his first term at St Edwards tomorrow she stated
Oh I see do come in his demeanour changed
Soon john was being measured various blazers were tried on until at last the correct one was found
John looked at himself in the mirror so this is what a grammar school boy looks like ?
Smartest boys in the county?
Johns mum was soon paying for the blazer,
Nigel the shop assistant told his mother that it was strange to see a St Edwards boy with long hair still times change he said
On the bus ride home his mother started thinking first the man in the café then the shop assistant all St Edwards boys were well groomed short haired boys looking at johns long hair she decided that a trim from Debbie was no good maybe a barber would be able to rectify this problem,
The only problem was johns mum had only ever took him to Debbie's hairdressers with her and didn't know any barber shops never mind what to ask for?
As they got off the 2nd bus it was 3.15 hurry up his mother said you've got to get your hair cut .
John was excited at the thought of Debbie cutting his hair,
johns mum suddenly had an idea her father always had short tidy hair I wonder were he gets it cut she thought?
Luckily she had her mobile phone with her
Hi dad its jean I was wondering were do you get your haircut? John needs a haircut for school
And I don't think a trip to the hairdressers will do .
I agree said her father its about time he had a mans haircut not one of those girlie unisex haircuts but a proper short back and sides
You can tell a lot about a man by his haircut!!
that's what my army sergeant major would say to me a crop that young man needs
Johns mum sighed but deep down she knew her father was right
Okay dad but where should I take him?
I go to berts barbers his shop is next to the chip shop on duke street
Oh that old shop I thought that place had closed years ago she replied
No replied her father its only us pensioners that go there now only shop that gives a proper mans haircut tell you what I will meet you down there in 15mins ok?
Ok thanks dad
Mum put the phone down john had been daydreaming about Debbie trimming his locks and hadn't heard a word of the telephone conversation
C mon john and off she headed towards duke st
Along London road there was Debbie's salon as they approached the shop butterflies appeared in johns stomach
Wait here his mum said
His mum went in the shop alone and explained to Debbie that john was going to a barbers and to make an appointment for herself for tomorrow.
John stood outside was still oblivious to what was going on
As she came out of the shop she told john that she had meet johns granddad in duke st and they should hurry, john was relieved and disappointed at the same time, disappointed at Debbie not trimming his hair but relieved that his hair was staying longish
They found duke st his mother found the chip shop and right next door was a sign saying BERTS BARBERS TRADITIONAL HAIRCUTS
Johns mum peered through the window sitting on a bench was her dad
An old man in his seventies was getting his haircut by an even older man who she assumed was the owner.
What are we doing here mum john said still oblivious
Just getting the final part of your uniform dear and she opened the door and they both entered the shop
Hello granddad said john
Be with you in a minute said the old barber
John looked around the shop it stunk of stale cigarettes and the smell of brylcream in fact it smelt just like his granddad john just sat down with his mum .
Bert got his cutthroat razor out and gave his customer a very short high neckline
Bert showed the gentleman the result with a mirror
That ok for you mr Stevens?
that's just what I asked for Bert I wish all barbers were able to give such a good short haircut like you
Nobody has short hair these days mr Stevens just my regulars like yourself
I might have to close if it carries on like this Bert said
Mr Stevens payed Bert and left the shop with an extremely short back and sides
Johns granddad sat in the barbers chair
What are we having day jack ?Bert said
My usual short back and sides but a lot higher and shorter
Like the haircuts I gave you in the army?
Yes please sergeant major
Bert then explained to john and his mum that he was an ex-army barber he had left the army when he was 50 but had owned this shop for 25 years .
Bert still knew how to crop hair and johns granddad was soon cropped severely
How's that ?short enough jack? Said Bert
Yes thank you sergeant major
The cape was took off john sat looking at his granddad never had he seen such a short haircut on anyone
Right then john your next said his granddad
It finally dawned on john this old barber called Bert would be trimming his crowning glory if trim mining was the right word
Come on young man get in that chair shouted Bert
John dutifully obliged still in a state of shock
A tissue was put in his collar and a big white cape enveloped him
Ok mum a good tidy up for this young man is it?
Mum pondered for a moment was a tidy up sufficient she thought?
When Debbie tidied up the ends that meant about an inch off all o over
No I think a bit shorter than that what mum didn't know was Berts tidy ups were quite short enough but what Bert called short everyone else called shaved
Before mother could answer johns granddad said no thanks sergeant major a proper short back and sides for this young man
Ok his mum agreed a nice short back and sides then !!!!
Bert wet johns hair and combed it forward john by this time was gripping the arms of this barbers chair unsure of what was about to occur but knew that his head would soon feel a lot lighter
Soon Bert was snipping johns hair first a t the left side a flick with the comb then snip, snip the cape was soon filling up with johns hair
After what seemed ages to john Bert put down his scissors
Phew thought john his hair was short but not too drastic even his mum was surprised she expected something a bit shorter
However this soon changed when Bert picked up his clippers took off the guard and applied some oil
HEAD DOWN YOUNG MAN!!!
Before he knew what was happening Berts hand was forcing his head down then he felt the clippers running up his neck not stopping till it reached his crown this was repeated until johns back was just stubble john was unable to see the damage that was until Bert repeated this effect on his sides
John stared in the mirror his hair was no more Bert had given him a 50s classic short back ands sides
Tears started to well up in johns eyes what had this butcher done to his hair?
Is that short enough for you mum ?
Mum was in a state of shock what had happened to johns hair
Unable to get her words out bert assumed it wasn't short enough !!
Your quite right mum I think it should be shaved about an inch higher all round
When I was a barber in the army my sergeant major made me give the new recruit's a severe cropping to start their new life in the army
Well I guess he's a new recruit in st edwards so lets do the same
Bert the proceeded to put shaving cream all over the exposed neck of john and about an inch above his ears
He then took his cut throat razor and started to shave johns quite high hairline 5 mins later the shaving was over,
Left or right bert asked johns mum still shocked and unsure of an a answer she replied whatever you think
Bert got a good dab of brylcream and soon plastered johns hair down with the straightest side part you had ever seen
Thanks sergeant major johns granddad said that's the smartest i,ve ever seen this young man
I think john will coming here every 2 weeks with me to keep this hair short and neat
To be continued
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