Jake sniggers behind me. I would normally laugh too and I would normally be embarrassed if Granddad was anywhere near my school, and if Mum and Dad were for that matter – but that’s usually when they’ve been called in to see the head teacher. But I don’t care about that now. I’m just glad Granddad’s here to help.

I look across the sports centre car park to where about a hundred boys and girls and a few adults are funnelling through the main doors.

‘Come on,’ says Rebecca, ‘they’re going in now.’

I blow out my cheeks as we walk between cars.

‘You will be fine,’ says Granddad, trying to keep up with me. ‘It is the waiting that is worst. Just remember what Bobby Fischer said.’

‘He said lots of things, Granddad.’

‘Yes, and they are all important, but today remember this one about what a great chess player needs: “A strong memory, concentration, imagination and a strong will.” ’

‘I know, Granddad, but that’s the point – I can’t concentrate.’

‘It’s true,’ Jake cuts in. ‘He can’t focus longer than a fly buzzing around a cowpat.’

Granddad stares at him. ‘That’s not how he is now.’

I feel a warm glow inside me as I realize that Granddad has noticed how much I’ve changed.

Jake shrugs, like he realizes this too. ‘Okay,’ he says. ‘Maybe he doesn’t mess around so much now, but it’s fine, I can’t hang around cowpats either.’

‘Jake,’ Rebecca jumps in. ‘You’re really not helping.’

‘No, he’s not.’ Granddad glowers at Jake, then puts his arm around my shoulder. ‘Come on, Felix,’ he says, taking off his hat. ‘Let’s get inside.’

I follow the rest of the team through the doors. Mr Keytes shakes hands with a woman who must be another teacher and Rich stops and talks to a boy from another school.

Inside, the reception buzzes with the sound of voices. I feel myself shaking and when I smell the chlorine from the swimming pool I feel even worse. But my granddad is here, I tell myself. What can go wrong? I glance at Rebecca. She shrugs and gives me a nervous smile as we walk down a long corridor towards the main sports hall. ‘Okay.’ Mr Keytes stops by the doors and claps his hands. ‘Everyone, listen. We’ve a few things to get through. Richard?’

Rich says goodbye to the boy he was talking to and joins us.

‘I was just saying you’ve got a few things to tell us,’ says Mr Keytes.