Chapter 5: Meeting Mycock

While Val and Izzy are busy climbing into each other’s pants, the third side of the ménage à trois enters into the story. His name is Mycock, and he’s aged twenty three. Mycock graduated from university with a degree in Agricultural Science, which is what helped him secure a job as the operations manager at a large farming cooperative with a headquarters in Norwich. Mycock’s parents are unhappy about him moving so far away from the family home in London, but he felt it was time to move out of his parents’ house and start making his own way in the world. Mycock had very few friends, so apart from saying farewell to his parents, the break wasn’t difficult. Or at least he thought so until he realised how little he knows about fending for himself. At home, Mycock felt that his mother’s constant attention was holding him back, but now he misses her oversight a lot.

Mycock has never been comfortable with his given name, and more than once he has thought about changing it. But it’s a family tradition to call the first born son of each generation ‘Mycock’ after a distant ancestor who fought and won glory and wealth at the Battle of Waterloo. Whether that wealth was honestly acquired is debatable, but generations of Mycock’s family have profited from that fortune ever since. It’s unlikely Mycock would have received a private school education had his parents not inherited that wealth, and one day, most of it will be bequeathed to Mycock whether he wants it or not.

At school Mycock was subjected to all sorts of corruptions of his name. ‘Anyone seen my cock?’ was a favourite among his many tormentors. Although Mycock is intelligent, and ultimately well educated, the experience has left him a recluse. Mycock excelled at athletics, quizzes and games like chess, but never at any sport involving a ball. Now that he has secured a well paid position of responsibility, Mycock is pleased to finally be away from those who tormented him at school. However, moving to Norwich means being a stranger in an unfamiliar city. It’s not a situation that sits comfortably with Mycock.

The Wily Fox Motel does nothing towards easing Mycock’s nervousness. The place is a dump, and he regrets picking the motel simply because it was near his new workplace. He had hoped to settle in at work before looking for somewhere to rent, but finding better accommodation is now a priority. He calls several rental agencies in Norwich and faithfully registers with each of them. He’s given the addresses of four rental properties in the area around Norwich that fit his budget. He’s encouraged to look at them from the outside and let the agent know if he’s interested in a full viewing. From the various agents’ lacklustre attitude, the agents clearly aren’t going to fall over backwards giving Mycock a grand tour. When he sees the four places, he realises why the agents didn’t want to waste time on showing him around. The properties are barely habitable, and they make the Wily Fox Motel look desirable. Mycock has clearly under-estimated the cost of renting a property in Norwich.

“If you are interested in sharing a flat then I have around fifty houses and apartments where owners are looking for someone to share,” says an agent specialising in listing clients wanting flatmates.

Had Mycock visited the agent a week earlier, then Val’s apartment might have been one of those apartments the agent would consider recommending. But Izzy had recently formalised her flat-sharing arrangement with Val, and Val had withdrawn her apartment from the agent’s books. Fortunately for Mycock, the process of matching him to a compatible flatmate is largely computerised these days. Mycock soon reduces the list of possibilities down to three good matches, and five maybes. He decides to take a look at the properties from the outside before approaching the owners.

It’s nearly lunchtime, so Mycock looks for a nearby café before doing the rounds of the properties. By chance he selects the Windmill Café. It’s only after he orders his food at the counter does he realise how busy the café has become in a matter of minutes. All the tables are occupied and he’s unsure what he should do.

“I’ll find you a seat, pet,” says a cheery waitress, leading Mycock to the rear of the café. “Hi girls, we’ll need you to share your table today.”

“Sure, Flo,” replies Izzy.

Mycock stands frozen on the spot. He’s instantly attracted to the pair of young women sat waiting for their meals. Ogling them is an inappropriate reaction in the circumstances, but Mycock can’t help himself. He’s had the occasional girlfriend over the years, but generally he’s never shared a table with young women he doesn’t know.

“We don’t bite!” laughs Izzy, when she sees how nervous Mycock is at the prospect of sharing a table with them.

“Ah! Sorry. I’m not used to eating lunch at the same table as strangers,” replies Mycock, thankful that he’s not being reprimanded for ogling.

“That’s easily remedied,” says Val. “This is...”

“Bella, Mistress Bella,” interrupts Izzy.

“Yeah. And I’m Mistress Tina,” adds Val.

Val doesn’t understand why Izzy introduced herself using her stage name, nor why she has added the prefix, ‘Mistress’. However, Val is happy to play along with Izzy’s game. If Mycock was nervous before sitting down, he now feels completely in the thrall of these two beautiful young women. He’s at a loss for words.