Chapter 29: Haircut

Gordon Watson was becoming restless. Things were better for him at work but worse at home. At work, he and his good mates had managed to establish a branch of the Roller Cutters Union, without dire consequences for themselves from Authority. His worry about losing his job had receded.

Other personal problems persisted. He was still finding it hard to go without his cigarettes. A cigarette used to settle his nerves when he was feeling a bit edgy. The trouble was that Margaret and he were saving every penny they could for that new house which she wanted so much. That was fair enough, because their baby daughter was still ailing. The dampness in their long condemned Edward Street dwelling could prove fatal for her. The trouble was that he was not receiving much in return.

When it came to bedtime, Margaret was having always tired and having headaches. She was devoting so much of her time and energy to the two kids that he felt that he was being marginalised.

He also missed his Saturday afternoon football. He'd really enjoyed playing for the work's side. Dropping out of the team really hurt him. He'd had a regular place in the side as a gifted left-footed winger. He was very keen on playing cricket too but he simply dare not risk injury and having time off work. It made him quite envious of his brother Frank. Frank still had a varied love life and he'd kept his soccer and cricket going. Lucky devil!

The thing that was really up his nose was Margaret wouldn't let him discipline young Michael. He played her up all day long and she let him get away with murder. He was a good lad but having too much of his own way.

Something had to be done about it! He was starting school straight after Christmas and he'd have to stand on his own two feet there. He didn't want him to grow up and be a sissy. That was something of an obsessive fear amongst his mates who had sons..

He thought, "It's ridiculous how I have to fight with Margaret and Michael over simple little things!" Like when he took Michael for his first haircut!

The child had long, black, curly hair. Too long and too curly! One Saturday afternoon, Gordon was up-town, with Michael, and stopped to talk to one of the lads from work. On the following Monday morning, his friend said to him, "That lad of yours would make a pretty girl."

That did it!

"Bully!" Margaret called after him as he dragged a protesting Michael out of the house and across Dalton Square. He'd arranged with an old friend of his, who was a barber, to have the boy's hair cut. The shop belonged to his friend Jimmy. It was in King Street, opposite the opening for Common Garden Street. The shop was closed but Gordon had arranged for an out-of-hours shearing. He knew that all hell was going to break loose. He didn't want to be shown-up by Michael's misbehaviour in front of other customers.

Gordon was out of Margaret's sight so strong-arm tactics could come into play. His mate, Barber Jimmy, put a special seat on top of one of his chairs. The kid would be at the right height for him to attack his locks. Gordon picked Michael up, kicking and struggling, and plonked him down on the seat. He held his arms down and Michael started bellowing and screaming.

"Bloody hell Gordy,"said Jimmy, "You've landed me with a right job here!"

A barber's white sheet was put round Michael's shoulders and Jimmy brandished the scissors. "Keep still sonny, I don't want to cut your ears off."

Wow! When Michael heard that he really hit the roof. His yells must have been heard a mile away and he kicked out more than ever.

Jimmy took evasive action and had a go dodging from behind the chair. He leaned across Gordon who was still hanging on grimly to his son.

Soon, the floor was covered with Michael's curls.

"It's the best I can do,"said Jimmy. He stood back looking doubtfully at the unprofessional appearance of the job he'd attempted. "Your Margaret won't know him."

Gordon thanked Jimmy and insisted he take a bit extra for all his trouble. On the way back home the town's shops were all closed but Gordon had come prepared. He had with him a bag of jelly babies. Their consumption helped to calm Michael down. Until they got home! Once there, he flung himself into his mother's arms and sobbed his heart out.

"Bully!" she said. "You're nothing but a big bully." She had headaches for several nights after that.