Chapter Two – Everybody's Playing the Game
Florence stared at the heavy wooden door that marked lecture hall five then glanced down at her watch, it was just after six. There was no reason for her to be apprehensive about entering the room; it was after all a chess club. Yet still she was nervous.
Knock it out Florence. She thought to herself, pushing open the door.
"Florence!" The familiar drawling voice of Edward called out. "I knew you would show up." There was a glint in his eye as she entered the surprisingly light room.
She stood awkwardly in the doorway, taking in her surroundings. Apart from Edward and Maxwell there were three other people in the room, a middle aged man with close cropped salt and pepper hair was sitting at one of the three chess tables with an Asian boy she had seen in her commerce class. The older man smiled and beckoned her in to the room.
"Welcome Miss Vassy." He said in a deep gravelly voice before returning to the match.
"That is our resident professor, Professor James." Edward explained, leading Florence over to where the third new face, a girl about the same age as Florence, was sitting.
She glanced up from the book she was reading through a fringe of dark red hair and smiled, her nose dotted with light freckles. Sticking out her hand to Florence she pushed her reading glassed onto the top of her head.
"Leila Greene." She said in a thick Australian accent. "Edward and Max said you had a real natural flair for Chess."
Florence shrugged and sat down next to the girl. "I like the game and I can see patterns before others see them."
"A natural." Edward said with a grin before leaving the two girls to join Max at one of the other board where they immediately became immersed in conversation.
"Talking strategy I bet." Leila said sounding a little bored.
"You are not a chess player?" Florence asked.
"Oh no I am. I'm going to second for Katsuro over there at the friendly tournament in a couple of weeks. I'd rather be playing but you know, he's better than me, and he's been in the club longer." Leila shrugged. "Let's play!"
Leila tugged Florence over to the third and unoccupied chessboard, settling herself behind the white side instantly moving a pawn two spaces forward. Florence smiled as her mind began to calculate the hundreds of options in front of her. It was the strategy of chess that intrigued Florence the most, how one or two moves could make or break a game, how each player had a signature opening and how his or her opponent responded to that, dictating the outcome of the match. It didn't take Florence long to beat Leila. Her opponent was good, but she failed to anticipate the simple moves, reading too far ahead into the game.
After three intense matches, Florence winning all three, the two women became aware that their matches were being watched by the other members of the club. Edward raised an eyebrow knowingly at Professor James. Leila leant back in her chair and ran a hand through her thick hair.
"Impressive Miss Vassy," Professor James said, "It seems to me Miss Greene that you need to work on your anticipation."
"Sorry I beat you." Florence said feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Never apologise for winning!" Leila exclaimed, a grin spreading on her face.
"Perhaps we should be rethinking this upcoming tournament, team, to include Miss Vassy." Professor James mused glancing around at his students before taking his leave, telling them to clean the boards and pieces away and locking the door.
Katsuro nodded thoughtfully as he cleaned away the pieces from the other two boards, Maxwell narrowed his eyes unhappily and stalked out of the room, Edward following quickly. Florence watched him go with some apprehension.
"Is something wrong with Max?" She asked.
"Probably." Shrugged Leila. "He's temperamental. He used to think he was the best here, until Edward and Katsuro. He wants to play and not be a second. Professor James doesn't think it's a good idea."
"How come?"
"Too flighty." Katsuro said softly. It was the first time Florence had heard him speak and although he had a thick Japanese accent his English was probably better than hers. "He let's his emotions get carried away, not good for a second."
Leila and Katsuro suggested they go to the student bar just down the road, near the tube station, and grab a bite to eat and a drink. Florence assented, she never went out much, she was usually either working in the women's section of the department store Harrods or waitressing at a French restaurant in Piccadilly Circus. Leila chattered away amicably as they walked the five minutes from the university to the bar. It was a small establishment with a few pool tables, tables and chairs and a section where there were couches and low coffee tables. It had a homely and comfortable feel that Florence immediately warmed to. It wasn't packed as it was a weeknight but a few tables were filled with other students eating and drinking and there was a group of guys at one of the pool tables playing a rather rowdy game.
In the corner sitting on one of the threadbare couches was Edward and a girl with mousy brown hair and a heart shaped face. She smiled warmly at Edward then noticed Leila as she entered, waving madly for the three of them to come and join. Florence sat awkwardly in a low armchair, pulling a pillow behind her to help her sit forward. Leila bounded away to the bar to get some drinks and snacks.
"Hi I'm Louise, Edward's girlfriend. Everyone calls me Lou though." The brown haired girl said.
"Florence." She said with a smile.
"Florence is a new recruit to the chess team." Edward said, taking a sip from a glass of red wine. "She's very good."
Florence felt her cheeks redden and was glad when Leila returned with the drinks. It didn't take long for Leila and Lou to chatting animatedly about something they had read in a magazine and Katsuro and Edward began to talk softly about chess tactics and the upcoming tournament. Florence stayed quiet, not sure whether or not she was friendly enough with any of them to enter into their conversations.
"Max is getting annoyed." Edward said to Katsuro.
"He will be okay. I do not think he will be a second any more though." Katsuro responded.
Edward caught Florence's eye. "Florence should be my second."
Katsuro nodded solemnly but Florence shook her head. "I couldn't."
"Why not?" Katsuro asked.
"I just joined, and besides I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes."
Edward laughed. "Don't worry about Max, if he gets angry he shouldn't be here. Anyway, even though this is supposed to be a friendly tournament it is a chance to see the other universities and to meet up and coming chess players from around the world. Universities in America, France, Australia and all over the UK are sending delegates as well as that, members of the International Chess Federation are coming to scout out new talent. It's a chance for us to check out the competition from other universities, we need to look our best."
"We're the reigning champions for two years." Katsuro added.
"If winning with you as second to me is our best chance, Professor James will take it." Edward said finally. "There's no doubt about that."
Florence leant back in her chair, the feeling of apprehension replacing itself with a shiver of excitement.
Author's note: Please review and let me know if you like the story!
