‘I’ve hardly seen you all week,’ he whispers. ‘I just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow.’

‘Thanks, Dad.’ I smile. ‘But I’m so nervous.’

‘Of course you are. I would be too. But you’ll be fine. Trust me.’ He puts his hand on the side of my head. ‘I bet that’s what your granddad said too.’

‘No . . . well, he did, but the last thing he said was that I should keep my mind as clear as the sky and my head as calm as the sea.’

Dad laughs. ‘I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him say anything like that,’ he says. ‘But listen, you’ll be fine. If you do well, me and your mum might eventually get you to Nando’s!’

‘Thanks, Dad,’ I say.

He puts his hand on my bed and stands up. I wait for him to say goodnight and leave, but he just stands there looking at me.

‘Are you all right, Dad?’ I whisper.

‘Yes.’ He bends down and kisses me on the head. He never does that. ‘Love you, mate,’ he says.

‘I love you too, Dad. But why did you do that?’

‘Just felt like it,’ he says.

Surprise!

‘So, I just need to double-check everyone is present. Chris, me.’ Rich points at himself. ‘Leah . . .’ We’re standing outside the school minibus and Rich is counting us all for what seems like the tenth time, but all I want to do is get going because the waiting around is making me nervous. We’re all wearing our school blazers which reminds me we are representing our school and that makes me feel even worse.

Rebecca nudges me and shows me a blue teddy bear.

‘It’s our mascot,’ she whispers. ‘To bring us luck.’

‘Think we need a minibus full of them,’ I say.

She laughs. I’m glad Rebecca is here, but part of me wishes that Jake was too.

I look across the car park towards the science block. This doesn’t seem real. I’m used to being the kid in the classroom, watching the rugby or netball teams get on the minibus, not the one getting on it. When the rugby team wins they announce it in assembly and Dan Wills, the captain, reads out a report of the match on stage.

Mr Keytes walks across the car park towards us, wearing a dark suit that I’ve only ever seen him wear at parents’ evenings.

‘Everyone here, Richard?’ he asks.

‘Yes,’ says Rich.