Check Mates by Stewart Foster

Author:Stewart Foster [Foster, Stewart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, General, family
ISBN: 9781471172243
Google: Uc9bDwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 39989928
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2019-06-27T00:00:00+00:00

Postmortem

‘It was a nightmare, Granddad. He just sat there laughing at me.’

Granddad tuts as we drive past the chip shop.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I can tell you’re mad with me for losing.’

‘Losing? No. I’m not mad at you for losing. We all lose, we all have to play, that’s how we get better. No, I’m annoyed that you stormed out. That you are going back to your old ways!’

‘I couldn’t help it, Granddad,’ I say. ‘He was so irritating.’

‘Then we will address this,’ says Granddad. ‘Just give me time to think.’

I blow out my cheeks. Granddad stares ahead. He’s annoyed with me, but I’m glad that he’s back to picking me up from school again, although after losing my temper I feel like the walk home might have helped calm me down. I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon – Rich’s huge grin, my hot head. I didn’t even notice I’d run past Mr Keytes on the way out. That afternoon, our class were learning about Archimedes’ principle in science. Mr Groves filled a bucket with water and put something in it, but I was too busy watching the classroom door thinking Rich would have snitched to Mr Keytes and I’d get sent to the Isolation Room. I hoped not because I was tired of getting sent there. Jake thought smashing all the pieces over the board was funny, but after Mum and Dad were so pleased I was back with Granddad, I didn’t want to disappoint them by getting into trouble at school again.

The car stops at a traffic light. Granddad turns to me. ‘Look,’ he says. ‘I can tell you are upset, but this is a good thing.’

‘Is it?’ I say, still disappointed with myself.

‘Of course. It shows you care, but unfortunately it shows you also forgot one of my rules.’

‘To be honest, Granddad, I was so mad I think I forgot them all!’

‘Yes.’ Granddad chuckles. ‘I am thinking you did.’ He lifts his hand. I screw my eyes and wait for the rap of his knuckles, but all I feel is his hand ruffling my hair.

I smile. ‘I forgot number eight, didn’t I, Granddad. Never let your opponent see you are upset.’

‘Yes.’ Granddad nods as we pull away from the lights. ‘But we can remedy that. For now we should concentrate on number two, that you lose to get better. So tell me about the game, the moves you both made.’

‘I can’t remember much, all I know is that I was white, so I couldn’t use the Sicilian Defence, even if I could have remembered it.’

‘Just try,’ says Granddad. ‘Start with the first move. That is always the best place.’

I rest my head against the seat and try to remember the start of the game. I tell Granddad the moves Rich made and the moves I made too. Granddad makes an ‘umm’ sound and stares at the road, like he’s moving the chess pieces around in his head. I tell him the next ten moves and then pause.

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