Ben was running late... very late!
"Of all the fucking days to hit traffic like this," he thought.
He usually tried to work locally on Fridays but a key client had asked for a site meeting and Ben, being one of the more junior engineers, had copped for the two hundred mile round trip.
Ben wouldn't have normally minded but, tonight of all nights, he had a date. Hopefully a hot one!
He needed a shower; badly.
The site had been dusty and with the warm weather and the lack of air-con in the company van, he smelt like a P-I-G; or so he thought anyway.
Worst of all, his local barbers would be closed by the time he got there and he had to get this mop tidied up somehow. He'd noticed his date, Simon, a few times out and about and thought how well-groomed he looked. Ben didn't want to let himself down.
~~~ & ~~~
It was almost five-thirty, as Ben slowly drove through the outskirts of a neighbouring town with still ten, gruellingly slow miles ahead of him.
The residential street soon became more commercial and, while stopped at some traffic lights, Ben spotted the tell-tale, red and white pole of the barber's shop. Managing to avoid taking out any other road users, Ben made a sharp left turn and, after parking the van in a side street, walked back to the main road hoping against hope that he was in time for a trim at least.
The door to the barbers was still open as Ben approached. He paused at the threshold and glanced inside. It was empty save for a guy sweeping the hair from the floor who Ben took to be the proprietor.
"Am I too late?" Ben asked hopefully.
"Well... Erm... I..." replied the barber after checking his watch.
Ben looked down forlornly.
"If it's just a trim," said the barber, gesturing for Ben to come in.
"Too kind!" said Ben. "You've saved my life!" he added before sitting in the chair which had all the hair cutting paraphernalia in front of it.
The barber closed the door, locked it, flipped the door sign to 'closed' then pulled down the vertical blind to deter any more latecomers.
"So, how would Sir like it?" asked the barber, flicking Ben's hair into shape with his comb then noticing the site dust which dropped onto the black, nylon cloak around his shoulders.
Before Ben had a chance to reply, the barber continued, "I think a wash is in order first Sir. Is that OK?"
Ben nodded his assent and moved to the chair with the porcelain basin in front.
To Ben's slight embarrassment, the water initially flowed a somewhat grubby brown as the dust was washed away. Once shampooed and towelled dry, Ben felt much better... almost human.
Back in the cutting chair, the barber set to work; mainly with the scissors at first.
Ben could tell from the off that the barber was accomplished. He had a confident, light touch, the scissors just caressing Ben's hair and yet taking just the right amount off with each pass. As Ben relaxed so his thoughts turned to the evening, to Simon and to what might transpire. It had been a while since he'd last dated and he was pleased that his unintended sabbatical was drawing to a close.
The barber worked on, trimming and combing, occasionally running his fingers through Ben's hair to shape it and add body. It felt nice, Ben thought... almost sensual. Occasionally the barber would pause to assess his work, resting his hands on Ben's shoulders before continuing. As he worked on the sides, the barber leant in close; so close that Ben could feel his breath and then, against his hip, could feel something else.
"Oh hello!" thought Ben. "Is that what I think it is?" he couldn't be sure. Nothing was said.
The barber moved round to the other side and, again, there it was... harder still.
"Is Sir out tonight?" asked the Barber in what Ben took to be a slightly camp tone.
"Erm... yes... I'm meeting a friend... a date," replied Ben.
"Oh a date, is it Sir? That sounds fun. I do hope it goes well for you both. Who's the lucky girl?"
"Erm... it's actually a guy," Ben replied, seeing no reason to hide his sexuality.
"Oh how sweet Sir. Is
she
handsome?" the barber leant in again, closer this time.
