I swung open the door to the barber shop and waved at James in the corner. He was working on a young boy’s haircut, and doing a truly terrible job.
I shook my head and chuckled to myself, sitting down at the collection of chairs near the door and picking up a magazine while I waited.
‘All done!’ James said with a grin, dusting off the kid’s shoulders with a brush. ‘Go tell your mum she owes me twenty bucks.’
‘Thanks!’ the kid said, bounding out of the chair and through the door.
I watched him go, then turned back to James with a raised eyebrow.
‘I think you might owe him twenty bucks.’
‘He came in here asking for that mullet,’ James sighed, throwing his hands up. ‘Sometimes you just can’t help them. How’re you doing?’
‘Same old, same old,’ I shrugged. ‘Hey, I need your help with something.’
‘You never just visit anymore,’ he shook his head, grabbing a broom from where it was leaning against the wall and starting to sweep up.
‘Oh, shut up,’ I laughed. ‘I got a buddy who just got into town and he needs to find a shop in Brisbane that does good tattoos.’
‘In Brisbane?’ James frowned, leaning on the broom. ‘That might be tricky. What sort of ink does your friend need done?’
‘Nothing too interesting,’ I said. ‘Just a standard, uh… big tattoo.’
‘A big tattoo?’ James said. ‘Maybe your friend should start smaller, especially if he doesn’t know the scene yet.’
‘What if my friend, uh… needs a big tattoo for a reason?’
James paused his sweeping and stopped, looking pointedly up at me.
‘What did you do?’
‘What? Me? Nothing, I don’t know—’
‘Where is it?’ he cut me off, gesturing for me to show him. I sighed and stood up, lifting my shirt.
‘Oh my god,’ he cackled. ‘You’re gonna need one hell of a professional cover up tattoo design to hide that, son!’
‘Can you help me or not?’ I glared at him.
‘I don’t think anyone can help you!’ he laughed at me, as I stormed out of the shop. ‘Good luck… Sweet Lips!’