I reach the toilets. Jake says it’s weird if we go in together, so he waits outside like one of Bobby Fischer’s bodyguards. My path is immediately blocked by a queue of boys in smart uniforms, talking in posh accents. Granddad told me to block everything and everyone out, but over the rabble I hear the words ‘capture . . . threat . . . defence’. One of the boys glances at me and cups his hand over his mouth like he thinks I might be listening in and stealing his tactics. Then they all look down at my scuffed-up shoes and start to grin. It’s bad enough being in a strange place where I don’t fit in, without someone trying to make me feel embarrassed about my clothes. But maybe they’re playing mind games, like Granddad warned me about.

Part of me wants to tell them it doesn’t matter how we dress, it’s how we play chess. Part of me wants to just tell them to shut up. If Granddad was here, he’d tell me to stay in control of my emotions, that no one wins if they lose their head.

I turn around and head back into the foyer.

‘That was quick!’ shouts Jake.

‘I changed my mind.’

Jake runs after me. ‘But you can’t change your mind. I’m your coach. I passed up going to football for this.’

I stop walking.

‘Jake, what are you on about? I changed my mind about peeing, not playing.’

‘Oh.’

We push our way through the crowds and find Mr Keytes, who’s talking to a teacher from another school.

‘Ah, here he is.’ Mr Keytes puts his hand on my shoulder. ‘I was just telling Mr Givens about your new-found talent.’

Mr Givens smiles at me.

‘It’s wonderful to hear,’ he says, ‘and remarkable too, that you’ve mastered chess in such a short space of time. This tournament will be good experience for you.’

‘Experience?’ Jake butts in. ‘Felix isn’t here for experience, he’s here to win. Aren’t you, Felix?’

‘Don’t!’ I nudge Jake.

‘It’s true. I’m his coach and he’s been getting lessons from his granddad every night after school.’

My face starts to burn.

‘Well, it’s good to see someone has confidence.’ Mr Givens smiles. ‘I’ll catch you later, Simon.’ He shakes Mr Keytes’s hand. ‘And good luck, Felix, though I doubt you’ll need it with your coach in your corner.’

Jake grins. I shake my head. It’s great that he supports me, but what chance have I got anyway? Maybe I am only here for the experience. Maybe I should just run for the doors after all.

‘Felix . . . Don’t look so worried.’ Rebecca puts her hand on my arm. ‘You’ll be fine.’