The year was 1970, November to be precise, just days after my sixteenth birthday. Nigel and I were waiting for the bus to take us into the town. On Saturday afternoons, boarders at the school were allowed to visit the town. This privilege was highly respected particularly amongst the older boys as fast growing teenagers were hungry for the outside world. Not that we were treated like teenagers though, the school was strict and a thorough inspection was carried out by the housemaster before departure, limited amounts of pocket money were handed out and on this occasion, we were told to get our hair cut. Mr Witts, the senior housemaster, was very strict on uniform, all boys unless prefects wore grey shorts, shirts, school pullover, long grey socks trimmed with the school colours of blue and gold, dark blue blazer and tie. He had a pet hate of slipping socks and asked us to show that we were wearing garters. Id hated wearing shorts at first but now secretly enjoyed them particularly pulling up the long grey socks usually developed a swelling in my shorts which I enjoyed. It was a glorious sunny day so he didnt ask us to wear our raincoats.
The bus duly arrived, we went upstairs and the conductor collected our fares, we always got charged half so wearing shorts did have an advantage. Half way into town and more passengers joined. Up to then, we had the upper deck to ourselves and were happily discussing what to do in town when the sound of heavy footwear caused us to look at up. Two lads about our age walked towards us and sat opposite. They were skinheads, a new group of youths who I secretly fancied. They had their hair cropped, wore tight jeans and huge boots called Dr Martins. They both looked at each other and one said Its the pretty schoolboys. We ignored them and carried on talking but my eyes wandered and I sneaked the odd glance at the lads. The blond one was me and I felt a swelling in my shorts. I knew that there was something wrong in the outside world of preferring boys to girls but this was my secret and one which I also shared with intimate friends at school. Suddenly I heard You looking at me? It was the blond lad and he was sneering at me No I replied. Yes you was He stood up, lunged towards me and grabbed me by the lapels of my blazer jerking me on to my feet. Meanwhile the other had shouted at Nigel Dya want some nall? We were in trouble now. I saw my skinhead raise his fist but being a boarder, who had learned to look after himself very quickly, got one in before him albeit only glancing his face. In minutes we were on the ground fighting I was enjoying rolling about with this tough lad when I heard. Whats going on? Came the voice of the conductor. Break it up or youre all off. The skinheads menacingly mouthed at me and Nigel and I went downstairs. That was close, why did you keep staring at him said Nigel Do you fancy a dare I said, that we both get that haircut? Nigel looked in horror No way theyd go mad at school. Well I dont see why I said After all there always after short haircuts.
We wandered round the town and I visited my favourite record shop. We listened to the latest hits in the booths until we were told we had to buy a record. The barbers shop was packed and full of skinheads, we nervously made our way in and sat down. I was aware that we were getting lots of stares and sniggers about our shorts. Usually, Mr Jackson, a school barber visited the school every 3 weeks but he was off ill so it was unusual for us to visit barbers in the town. When it came to my turn I said Just like him mate pointing towards the next chair where the shorn occupant threw me a menacing scowl. I was getting really swelled up in the shorts department both thinking about the haircut and the looks. Nigel had not taken up the dare and had the regulation short trim. He looked at me and said I hope you dont get into trouble. No I wont I said grinning.
The journey home was uneventful and we walked up the drive to report back to the housemaster. I got a lot of laughs at my new haircut and everyone seemed to like it and made buzzing noises touching my head. We got to the housemasters office and knocked. Come in. I opened the door and Nigel and I walked towards Mr Witts who was sitting at the desk. What the blazes? he stuttered looking at me. Do you like it Sir? I cheekily asked. Over there he ordered and looking at Nigel said youre dismissed Barnes. Nigel looked at me with a scared face and shut the door. Mr Witts lifted the telephone and pressed a button. Headmaster please Mrs Englefield. The headmasters lodge was at the bottom of the drive and his wife was the matron. Oh Headmaster, sorry to trouble you, theres a problem with one of the returning boys I feel you should see, er no sir, youll see what I mean when you get here sir, its difficult to explain on the telephone. He replaced the receiver and stared at me. You Collins are so stupid, one thing after another constantly fighting now this, you just go round asking for more trouble. I lowered my head in silence, this was the one time I didnt know what was going to happen but it sounded serious. I was ordered to stand face to the wall in the corner with my hands on my head.
The headmaster opened the door, and looked at Mr Witt who pointed at me in the corner. Turn round he barked. I shook inwardly and turned to face him. Take your hands off your head ordered Mr Collins. What the blazes..... It was the one occasion I had ever seen the head lost for words. He approached me and I cried out Im sorry sir I thought it was smart. He cracked my face with his hand, I stared open mouthed smarting from the slap, hed never slapped me before and I never remember his doing it to anybody else, but my face was red and burning with fright. Smart you thought, let me tell you Collins, you are not smart, you are constantly disobedient, cheeky and insolent, smart is one thing you never will be. Yes sir I mumbled my head so low now Im sorry sir. You will be this time, very sorry you will be gated for the rest of term Yes sir thank you sir. I looked down, gated till next term, I couldnt bear the thought. He looked at his watch and then at me You will report to the study at 5pm. My heart failed I stared at him, I knew what this meant, he couldnt, he was not surely, not only was I gated but was going to be caned. My eyes filled and I said please no sorry sir something Id never done before, Id always taken the punishment as well as I could but this was the end. He bellowed Get out and I did, to the dorm where I laid on the bed looking at the clock, an hour....30 minutes. I got off the bed and washed my face and walked downstairs to the study.
I knocked at the door, this was the door opposite the assembly hall, there was another opposite the staff room but this was the main door to report to, there was a 3 position illuminator marked Enter, Wait, Engaged, the head never used this but I always watched it, silence maybe too early I thought. There was a sound of the other door opening, some muffled sounds, silence, better wait a few moments let him get settled in.
Knock, Come in, my heart sank; opening the heavy door, shutting it and approaching him seemed to take an eternity. From past experience he never looked up for a few minutes so I stood with my hands behind my back.
Ah Collins he said Sir He leaned back in the chair You know why youre here? Yes sir Tell me I believe sir my haircut may meet with your disapproval. He repeated my statement word for word Do you believe that? he asked Em not sure sir What youre not sure or Im not sure. Maybe sir Well which is it boy. I may have offended you sir. Do you think so? Possibly sir. Let me tell you boy, the youths that sport that hairstyle are troublemakers and thugs are you one of them? No sir Then why the haircut? Well I thought it was smart sir and because it was the new style sir. So you are a sheep and have to follow everyone. No sir. Let me tell you Collins, you are trouble, since youve been here you have been regularly been before me, fighting, breaking windows always trouble – why? Dont know sir Why are you stupid? No sir. Then why misbehave? Dont know sir? He lifted the red telephone which was a direct line If I said that Id had enough of you and you were expelled what would you say? Id say sorry sir and Id like to be given a second chance Would you indeed he flicked the Rolodex rotary address index; Your Father would be in the house by now would he not? Yes sir and would he be very shocked if I telephoned him to report that his son was nothing but a common thug and ask him to collect you this afternoon? Id rather you didnt sir. If I expelled you now youd leave here with no o levels whatsoever, what sort of job would you end up with? Dunno sir Well try think Well our next door neighbour said he would give me a job As what? A painter and decorator sir What? As I said sir. So your parents pay a high price to get a good education and you let them down by becoming a painter and decorator? Well I did some holiday work for him and he said I was good. And thats your idea of a good job? Well he runs a decorating business started from when he was a self-made man and hes got a new Jag he let me drive. The head threw his glasses down and shouted What? So not only are you a thug but a criminal? Well no sir, it was just in the drive You will not touch or drive cars at home or anywhere else do I make myself clear? Yes sir Well it was only on his drive and he was in it was after I washed it. Ive had quite enough of you Collins get your shorts off Yes sir I scuttled in the corner shaking this time, something was wrong and well wrong, I returned to his desk very embarrassed after taking my shorts and pants off because my shirt would not cover my well developed privates. He had the punishment book out and was writing. Im going to give you six now and you will come back on Monday at 4.30pm for another 6. My heart sank; this was more than I could take. Is that fair Collins? Yes sir. Over to the window then. I walked over to the window and he followed me. Bend over. He pushed me and I put my hands on the window seat as from previous times, he adjusted my vest, shirt and pullover and made me splay my legs out, after a lot of adjustment he seemed satisfied. There was a lot of drawers opening and general rummaging from behind but from previous experience, I didnt dare look. It went quiet. All of a sudden swoosh and crack, I nearly shot through the window, ah I said, which was unusual for me as I usually grinned and bore it. Shut up he called, again the second time, I was in agony now and my legs were shaking, the third took an eternity but when it came it was cruel, the tears poured down my face and I was ashamed but I couldnt stop shaking, the fourth and fifth cracked me and the sixth, well I was in a red haze. Up he shouted. I ran over to the corner where my shorts were and put them on, my bottom was on fire and stood in front of him my hands behind my back; the pain was unbearable from my backside. The rest of the punishment will be carried out on Monday, I have decided one further punishment in view of what you have just told me, you will never be made a prefect do you understand? Yes sir Well repeat it I will never be made a prefect sir And consequently Collins, you will remain in shorts until you leave Yes sir. That did excite me and the pain in my backside seemed to ease and a little swelling presented itself in my shorts. Repeat after me Collins I will never be made a prefect and will remain in shorts as a reminder of this punishment and hope the humiliation will mend my ways I did On Monday, Mr Witts will take you to the school outfitters where you will be issued with a new uniform, that one is far too small for you. Yes sir Now shake my hand This was the weird bit that I never understood Now go to the dorm That meant no tea, I laid on my side on the top of the bed, the dorm was empty, everyone else was eating tea in the Refectory. I touched the tops of my sock turndowns and the swelling returned, good I thought a new uniform I grinned as the swelling became more pronounced, I put my hand under my soft grey pullover.....mmm that was nice and warm..I teased two of the buttons on my grey shirt and put my hand inside to feel my soft white vest..nice..I grinned again thinking of the skinhead and I rolling about on the floor of the bus at one point Id touched his jeans and was sure he had a development in that area too, another grin, well better do something about mine now.