‘Goodnight and good luck,’ Granddad shouts as he picks Samson up.

I run across the square. I’m so excited about tomorrow that my legs seem to be moving twice as fast. I stop by the gate and turn round. Granddad waves and closes the door.

‘Felix, is that you?’ Mum shouts out to me as I walk through the hall. I stop and peer around the living room door.

‘Everything okay?’ She looks back from the TV.

‘Yes,’ I say. ‘I’m fine.’

‘And Granddad?’

‘Yes. I think Granddad is fine too.’

Mum taps the seat beside her. ‘Come and sit down for a bit,’ she says. ‘We don’t get a chance to talk much.’

‘I can’t stop, Mum,’ I sigh. ‘I’ve got the school chess championship tomorrow. Sorry.’

Mum smiles. ‘Don’t apologize,’ she says. ‘I’m happy you’re interested in something other than your computer games for once.’

‘Yeah, right. I need to go.’

I close the door and walk up the stairs. Why did she have to say that? That I’m interested in something other than my computer games? Couldn’t she just say ‘well done’ or ‘good luck’? I am interested in other things, she just doesn’t know it.

I walk into my room. I’m annoyed with her, but I can’t let it affect my concentration. I lie down on my bed and look at Granddad’s list on the wall.

Ten things for Felix to learn about chess.

Do not eat prior to a game . . .

Never take the easiest path . . .

Trust me!

I take a deep breath. Trust me, he says, but it’s hard when the tenth thing is missing off his list. It might be really important, but what could it be? Maybe it’s just making sure I get there on time, but that’s obvious. Perhaps it’s that I shouldn’t pull my tie too tight to stop my blood from reaching my brain. I read that once, but can’t remember where. Or maybe I just made it up when I was bored in maths.

I’m playing in a championship tomorrow. I might get knocked out first game, but at least I’m trying something for once. Maybe Mum was right; it is the first time I’ve really been interested in something other than computer games.

I roll over on my side and read the list again . . . Trust me. Trust me. Trust me.

I do, Granddad . . . I think.

Beginner’s Luck?

I’m standing in the library and my stomach is grumbling like a bear in a cave. Granddad said not to eat, so all I had for breakfast was a bourbon biscuit.