At that moment, there’s a round of applause and all the talking in the hall fades away. I turn round and see a man wearing a white shirt, trainers and jeans walk on to the stage. He adjusts the microphone then leans towards it. ‘I’m Professor Hayes,’ he says, ‘and I would like to welcome you to Reach for the Stars, where teenagers tell us what space really means to them!’

Wide-eyed, I turn to Annie, who’s tugging my coat out of my hands. ‘It’s OK,’ she whispers. ‘I’ll think of something. I’ve rung a couple of friends and I’m waiting for them to get back to me.’

I look back at the stage. I’ve been dreading walking up there, but now I’ve come this close, it’s suddenly all I want to do.

Professor Hayes continues. ‘Each of these young men and women will have just five minutes to convince us of their passion for space and astrophysics. Then we’ll pick one lucky winner, who will jet off to America this summer to visit the Space Centre at Houston!’

Applause and a few ‘whoops’ break out across the hall.

‘It’s not OK, Annie,’ I hiss, turning back to her. ‘He’s already been in that hole for too long.’

‘I’ll go,’ says a voice behind me.

I spin round and see Ed standing there.

‘But you can’t,’ I say. ‘You’ll miss the competition.’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ he says, giving me a smile and a shrug. ‘I heard what you were talking about. I understand the problem. I can help.’

‘Please give a warm welcome,’ says Professor Hayes, his voice booming out of the speakers, ‘to our contestants!’

Applause rings out and the contestants start to walk up the stairs that lead to the stage.

‘Right,’ says Ed. ‘Let’s go to the PE cupboard. There’s a first-aid kit in there and I know how to break in.’

He starts to walk away.

‘Ed!’ I grab his arm. Half of the contestants are on the stage now. ‘This is my problem. You can’t just walk out of here and give up on your chance of winning the competition.’

‘Yes I can,’ he says, like it’s the easiest decision in the world. He looks straight at me. ‘Just show them Mega Knickers and you’ll blow them away.’ Then he turns and walks out of the hall.

After a moment of hesitation, Jackson and Rose follow him.

‘They’re waiting for you,’ whispers Annie, pushing me forward.

I stare up at the stage. Two seats in the row of chairs are empty. ‘He gave up his chance to go to Houston for me.’

‘I know,’ says Annie, smiling. ‘What a loser. Now get up there!’

I touch Elsa’s head. ‘Thank you,’ I say to Annie.

‘No worries. I believe this is what friends are for.’

FIFTY-TWO

As I walk across the stage, I feel the eyes of everyone in the audience following me. My mouth goes dry and then my hands start to shake, but I force myself to keep going, clenching my buttocks all the way. I walk past Ed’s empty seat then sit down.