One of the judges comes to the foot of the stage and has a whispered conversation with Professor Hayes. They glance up at Ed’s seat and suddenly I feel so sick I have to look away.

Professor Hayes goes back to the microphone. ‘I’m afraid one contestant appears to have dropped out. That still leaves us with fourteen wonderful speeches to hear, though, so let’s not waste another moment!’

I can’t believe that this is happening, but I don’t have time to think about what Ed’s just done because already, Professor Hayes is talking and explaining the rules of the competition. ‘A buzzer will sound to indicate the start of each contestant’s five minutes,’ he says, ‘and it will sound again at the end, when the speaker must stop talking.’

One of the judges presses down on a button on the desk to demonstrate and a loud buzz rings through the hall. Nervous laughter ripples along the row of contestants.

‘Now,’ continues the professor, ‘it’s always intimidating to go first, so please give a warm and encouraging welcome to Scarlet Bedu from East Hoathly Girls’ School!’

The audience claps politely as a girl in a bottle green blazer walks confidently up to the microphone. She stands staring out across the hall, a thin plait falling straight down her back. The buzzer sounds.

‘Stars,’ says Scarlet Bedu, lifting her chin, ‘are the fundamental building blocks of our galaxies, and space is the grand stage on which the drama of their birth, evolution and death are played out!’ Scarlet’s voice rings out across the hall, clear and assured, and as she talks, she looks at different members of the audience. I see them smile back at her. She’s not holding any sort of cards or notes, and she doesn’t hesitate as she describes how space has allowed her to ‘reach for the stars’.

Suddenly, the buzzer sounds and applause fills the room. Scarlet does two quick bows, then turns on her heel and walks back to her seat, unable to hide her smile of satisfaction. Her speech was delivered perfectly, and she knows it.

I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Scarlet’s performance was so polished and accomplished, it’s taken me by surprise.

After a few words from the professor, the boy sitting next to Scarlet goes to the microphone. He explains that, to him, space means fun, and that space exploration has led to all the best things in life: satellite TV, laptops, even air-cushioned trainers. He isn’t word-perfect, but his enthusiasm is infectious and he bounces around the stage and makes everyone laugh.

And then the buzzer sounds again, and I listen to speech after speech about stars, black holes, new technologies, space exploration. Each time I hear the buzzer my heart beats a little faster and sweat prickles my skin because we are moving closer and closer to the moment when I will have to stand up.

Then there are just two students left, and then one, and then there’s applause and the boy from Highbury Boys’ School is returning to his seat next to me. Professor Hayes stands at the microphone. ‘Please welcome our final contestant,’ he says, stretching his arm towards me, ‘Meg Clark!’