Over The Top: Chess

eye doctor!) Mum said there was an operation for my kind of eyes. She said it might work, but even if it didn't it was worth a try. That's what I want to do now. I want to go to Europe. I've started saving for it already. I get five dollars a week pocket-money so I'm putting it all into a plastic bottle. Good night diary.

_____________

I'm back in the cricket field and the teacher is staring at me. He can't believe what's happened. He throws the ball to me again and I catch it. Easy! The other boys are watching too. Everyone is amazed.

"Try this one?" says the teacher. He throws it really hard. I stick out my hand and catch it without even looking.

"This is amazing!" the teacher says, "What's happened to you?"

I can't tell him. It's a dreadful secret.

Last night I had a dream. I was the greatest cricketer in the world. I caught the fastest balls, even when they sizzled through the air like bullets. I bowled straight down the pitch and hit the middle wicket every time. I could bat all day and never miss. I was the world's best!

The teacher throws the ball high into the air. I catch it as I walk across the field. Its so easy now.

The team is very pleased with me but I feel sad about that. Why should I be liked just because I'm good at cricket? Why can't they like me for myself? I don't show how I feel. That would spoil everything.

The teacher is slapping me on the back and saying nice things. I love the attention but I wish it was because I am good at chess, not cricket. The best bowler on the team, Stapleton, is coming over to say something too. He's the best bowler in all the schools, as far as I know. He's the best bowler ever. He can send the ball down the pitch so fast it's hard for anyone to see it. He's so strong he's got arms like a gorilla.

"Let's see how you bowl?" he says.

I run up to the wickets and let go. The ball knocks the middle wicket out.

"Can you do that again?" he asks.

I do it again. It's so easy now.

The teacher puts me through lots of tests. I have a perfect score every time. He puts the best batters in. I bowl them all. If they hit the ball at me I catch it.

The teacher has his arm round my shoulders. He has decided to make me his favourite. This doesn't make Tim the captain very pleased. I can see him looking at me. He is disappointed with the teacher for changing over from him to me so