He said we’re going to be rich and live somewhere posh like Bath and we won’t have to worry about the distance to school because we’ll have chauffeurs to drive us in our Ferraris and Lamborghinis. And we’re going to live in mansions next door to each other and we’ll have a connecting tunnel, just for us, and massive TVs in every room. And all the time he was saying this on the way home, he was checking the internet on his phone to see if Hugh had put up the pictures on the Chess Monthly website. But they weren’t there, so he made up his own headlines:

‘Felix Schopp wins National Championships with his genius coach! Amazing coach helps boy conquer the chess world.’

That’s when Mr Keytes took the wrong turning in the dark.

That’s when Rich told Jake to be quiet.

That’s when Rebecca went to sleep on my shoulder.

That’s when I rested my head on the window and felt the rumble of the tyres as car headlights flashed by.

That’s when I started smiling.

That’s when I realized how brilliant being good at something feels.

Can’t Wait Till Morning

I’m lying on my bed with my trophy on my chest. My heart beats so slowly and heavily that I can feel it vibrating through the mattress springs. I’m tired but I can’t sleep because the day keeps zapping through my head – the journey to Birmingham, my nerves, the games, me wanting to concede, then everyone surrounding me, patting me on the back, shaking my hand. I’ve tried counting sheep, I’ve tried wrapping my head in my pillow, but the day just goes on, like a DVD stuck on repeat. And really, I don’t want it to stop.

I jump as my phone buzzes on the table. It’s so late there’s only one person it can be. Jake said he’s going to stay up all night until our pictures are on the internet.

I look at the screen.

Still not there. What’s taking him so long? All he had to do was write a few words and upload a picture.

I know, I reply. Must be busy. But I’m going to bed now.

You can’t.

I want to get up early to see Granddad in the morning.

Okay. Leave your phone on Alert. I’ll text you if it happens.

Okay.

I put my phone down and go to close my curtains. Across the square the street light is flickering outside Granddad’s house. I can’t wait to go over there in the morning. Me winning might make him feel better, and he definitely will when I show him the trophy. He’s going to feel as happy as I do.