‘I imagine a lot of you know Felix,’ he says. ‘Sometimes for the wrong reasons!’ He opens his eyes wide.

Someone giggles.

Mr Mclugash glares at Jake. ‘As I was saying . . . sometimes it’s for the wrong reasons, but today it’s for a good reason. Because even though our team aren’t the champions, Felix here won every one of his matches and . . . I’m not sure if he knows this yet . . .’

Knows what?

‘Because he accumulated the most points, he has been chosen as the school representative to play in the National Finals in . . . what . . . two weeks’ time, is it, Mr Keytes?’

‘Ten days,’ says Mr Keytes, holding up both hands.

What? National Finals, I think to myself. How did that hap—

‘Great,’ says Mr Mclugash. I don’t have time to think how it happened, because Mr Mclugash is now shaking my hand and presenting me with a piece of paper.

Everyone in assembly starts clapping again. I try to read the piece of paper, but the rest of the team have gathered around me.

‘Brilliant,’ says Rebecca, smiling.

‘Amazing, Felix.’ Jake pats me on the back. ‘Amazing.’

‘Well done,’ says Chris.

‘Well done,’ says Leah.

‘Yeah, well done,’ Rich says, like the words are stuck in his throat.

I take a deep breath, then another.

I’m in the National Chess Finals!

I can’t wait to tell Granddad. If only he was well, I’d run to the square right now to tell him and Mum and Dad all about what I’ve done.

‘No, Richard. Let’s have Felix in the middle.’ Mrs Lemon runs around in front of us and takes a picture with her phone.

‘We’ll put it on the school website and . . .’ she says. I try to hear, but the rest of her words get lost in the cheers. I look down at the piece of paper. A smile creeps across my face and my chest fills with air.

FELIX SCHOPP

SCHOOLS NATIONAL CHESS FINALIST

Even I can stand still long enough to read that.

Hugs and Soppy Films

‘Felix,’ says Mum, putting her hand on top of mine. ‘We really are so proud of you.’

‘Yes.’ Dad puts a chip in his mouth. ‘It’s amazing. Who’d have thought it, the boy who hated chess ends up going to the National Finals? It’s like a Hollywood film.’

‘Yes,’ says Mum, beaming. ‘Aww, come here.’

‘What, again, Mum?’

‘Well, it doesn’t happen often.’ Mum hugs and kisses me for what feels like the twentieth time. ‘You’ve done so well.’

‘Yes, matey,’ says Dad, munching a chip. ‘Seems like you didn’t spend all your time firing canon balls from a tree. But no, seriously, Felix,’ he chomps. ‘I mean it. I’m really proud of you – can’t wait to tell the blokes at work tomorrow.’

I smile and look up at the clock.

‘So can I call Granddad at the hospital now and tell him?’