We’re a team. I’ve never been part of a team before. I’ve never been good enough at anything to be in one. I was reserve goalkeeper for my primary school once, but that was only because George Drummond had a dentist appointment. But now I am in a team, I can’t stop thinking about it, and the thought of letting the rest of them down is making me nervous.

After the others had left I stayed to speak to Mr Keytes on my own. I told him about my nerves, how I wasn’t confident and didn’t want to let the others down. He said everyone else would be feeling the same, but that actually nerves were a good thing and they would help me concentrate. All I had to do was remember how I played against Rich, and as soon as I made my first move the nerves would go away. But I was nervous when I went scuba diving with Granddad and jumping in the pool didn’t make my nerves go away then.

I roll over onto my side. The red power light on my computer flashes in my eyes. I played and won two games online when I got home from Granddad’s tonight. He told me not to. He said all I had to do was rest. ‘Sometimes rest is the brain’s best exercise,’ he said. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that.

I sigh and look at my computer. Maybe I should have one more game online, just to give me more confidence? But what if I lose? Then I really won’t be able to get out of the door in the morning.

I pick up my phone and check my messages. Still nothing from Jake. We went to all our lessons together, but we didn’t talk or mess around like we used to. I was so nervous about the tournament that I couldn’t think of anything to say, and Jake still seemed a bit weird because I haven’t been up the tree for ages. Rebecca told me that she thinks it’s temporary, that me and Jake are such good friends that a game of chess won’t get in the way. But I’m not so sure. I thought he’d be happy for me, now that I’m finally half-good at something, but he hasn’t even been sitting with me at break.

The landing light shines under my bedroom door, then I hear Dad’s heavy footsteps on the stairs. He’ll be on his way to the bathroom for a shower.

His shadow stops outside the door. Then I hear two gentle knocks.

‘Felix,’ he whispers.

I put my phone back on the table.

‘Felix, are you awake?’

The door opens slowly and Dad peers round.

‘Yes,’ I say.

He walks in and crouches down beside me. My laptop light flashes against his face.