Rock Paper Scissors: Gary's Story

It is 1985 and Gary, an eighteen-year old hairdresser in Durham, is feeling twitchy. He opens a trade magazine and sees an advertisement: “WANTED: HAIRDRESSER IN THE FALKLAND ISLANDS”. The Falklands war is over but the islands are still on invasion alert. A new airport is under construction and thousands of military personnel and engineers outnumber the islanders by more than two to one. Gary takes a risk and applies for the job. He has no idea what it might entail nor even where the Falklands are. Does he have what it takes? And who will support him when the going gets tough? This novel is based on the real adventures of Gary Shewan in a remote part of the world at a unique time in its development. 8,000 miles from home, young Gary had little life experience to draw upon to get him through the challenges that beset him. It is a story of unpredictable circumstances, of family and friendships, of growing up and breaking down, and of facing reality with humour and acceptance.