‘I know – that’s what puts me off.’ I’ve only been school chess champion for half a day but already my confidence is draining. I only won three games. What if they were all a fluke? I won with vinegar and sauce bottles – the Inter-Schools will be in a different league. And I don’t want to let people down like Granddad and Rebecca – especially them – but also Mr Keytes and the school.

Miss Elliott hands out pieces of paper for us to write our thoughts down about why we think it’s important to be nice to each other.

Rebecca leans close to me like she can tell I’m worried.

‘You have to play, Felix,’ she says. ‘You’ll be fine. You’re better than the rest of us, and anyway, Chris said we get a day off and lunch at the sports centre where it’s held.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I’m not sure I can do it again.’

‘You’ll be fine.’ Rebecca smiles. ‘Meet me in the library at lunchtime.’

‘What’s that?’ Jake’s the other side of me. ‘What did she say?’

‘She wants me to practise chess at lunchtime.’

Jake shakes his head like one of our cannonballs just landed in the school canteen.

‘He can’t. We’ve got Film Club.’

‘Yeah, I know, but maybe I should go to chess, just to—’

‘No way, Felix. You said you were just going to play with your granddad, not go to chess club. Last week you said they were all dweebs!’

‘Oi!’ Rebecca nudges me.

‘Sorry. I mean, you were . . . they were.’ I smile apologetically.

‘Maybe your granddad could teach me too,’ says Rebecca. ‘Maybe get him to come to chess club. We’re bound to win the tournament.’

‘Umm, I don’t know . . . I could—’

‘What tournament?’ Jake jumps in.

‘The Inter-Schools Championship,’ answers Rebecca.

‘What? Another tournament?’ Jake sighs.

‘But I thought you were pleased I won the school championship.’

‘I was . . . I mean, I am, but it’s like you’re going to be playing chess all summer.’

‘I won’t be, but I do want to play in this.’

‘Okay,’ says Jake. ‘But your granddad can’t teach her too.’

‘Why not?’ asks Rebecca.

‘Because . . . because he likes to be on his own. He stays in all the time and keeps his curtains closed.’

‘I know,’ says Rebecca. ‘It was like that when I used to go to Felix’s.’

‘Yeah, but he’s way worse now, isn’t he, Felix? He doesn’t go out AT ALL. He’s like a hermit.’ Jake opens his eyes so wide they look like they’re going to burst out of their sockets.

‘Well, yes . . . I guess so.’ I look at Jake and wonder what he’s up to.

‘Great,’ says Jake. ‘That’s sorted. You’re coming to Film Club.’