Like the other winners, Zander had become a minor celebrity after the DARE Awards.

Getting used to his fame was taking some time, and while Zander was happy to be interviewed by the Greek media, he was amused by some of the stranger requests that he got. A television quiz show wanted him to be a contestant. He was asked to be a commentator at a fashion parade. The producers of a popular cooking show wondered if he’d like to be a guest judge.

With no desire to become a famous person who popped up everywhere, Zander politely said no to all of these offers. But there was one invitation that he hadn’t been able to resist: to appear at his old primary school’s special end-of-year presentation day.

Now, looking very grown-up in a black suit and grey shirt, Zander commanded the stage in St Theodore’s hall. With hundreds of students hanging on his every word, he felt like a young version of Felix Scott.

‘So, in conclusion,’ he said, ‘vision, hard work and personal integrity are what the DARE Awards are all about. Thank you for having me back here to speak to you today.’

The students clapped and cheered. Mr Markos, still principal after all these years, bounded onto the stage to shake Zander’s hand.

‘We’re so proud of you,’ Mr Markos said. ‘We’re very grateful to you for taking the time to visit, especially as we understand you’re going overseas soon.’

Zander nodded. ‘Yes, in a few days I go to Seoul and Sydney to meet up with other DARE Award winners. We all then board the Infinite Horizon. From there, I am not sure. But Felix is certain to make it a great adventure.’

Mr Markos smiled. ‘Before you leave, there are a few questions from the students.’

Almost every hand in the hall reached for the ceiling. Zander pointed to a boy in the front row.

‘Was it hard to make your NEO Avenger app?’ he asked.

‘Like anything,’ Zander said, ‘it was one percent inspiration followed by ninety-nine percent perspiration. That is to say, anything worthwhile is always a lot of hard work.’

He pointed to a girl at the back.

‘Did you know that Felix was behind the DARE Awards?’

Zander allowed himself a little smile. ‘I was not sure. I had read his autobiography and knew his motto was “Dream, Act, Realise Everything”. So I thought DARE could be an acronym and that he might be involved. Turned out I was right.’

Zander chose a girl with long pigtails.

‘What was it like meeting Felix Scott?’ she asked dreamily.

‘Because he started out as a young programmer, he is a real inspiration for me,’ Zander said. ‘I hope to learn as much as I can from him in the time we have together.’

A serious-looking older boy caught Zander’s eye. The student stood up and cleared his throat. ‘Do you think the DARE Awards were rigged?’

A ripple went through the students. Zander stiffened. ‘Rigged?’

‘Now,’ said Mr Markos into the microphone, ‘there’s no need for rudeness!’

But the student wasn’t done.

‘Well,’ the boy continued, ‘there are seven of you from seven continents, right? But there’s hardly any kids in Antarctica, so was Mila included because of Infinity’s interests there? And do you think Dylan won just because his parents are famous?’

Zander paused—it was a powerful public-speaking trick he had observed Felix use in New York. The boy blinked, growing uncomfortable in the silence.

‘I can understand why you might think that,’ Zander said. ‘But I assure you, Mila and Dylan won their places on their own merits. From what I understand, she has a formidable grasp of astronomy and he knows more about marine biology than most professors of the science.’ Zander smiled at the boy. ‘Maybe you should ease up reading so many conspiracy theories?’

The students roared with laughter and the now red-faced student sank back into his seat.

‘All right, all right, calm down everyone,’ Mr Markos ordered. ‘That’s all the time we have. Please thank Zander Demeter for being here!’

Zander rode his motor scooter back home through the smoggy streets of Athens. As always, he was grateful to reach the coast road that led to the seaside suburb of Varkiza that he and his grandfather called home. Arriving at the imposing three-storey house set into a hillside, Zander revved up the driveway and came to a stop in the garage.

‘Kalispera!’ called out his white-haired grandfather, George, from the balcony.

‘Hello yourself,’ Zander yelled back.

In the kitchen, Zander poured himself a glass of water and strolled out onto the balcony.

‘How did it go?’ George asked, setting his newspaper down on the table.

‘As well as I could have hoped,’ Zander replied, taking his usual seat opposite.

‘I’m glad you had a triumphant return to your school,’ George said, raising his glass of juice. ‘Yamas!’

‘Yes—cheers!’ They clinked glasses. Zander grinned. ‘Mr Markos introduced me as St Theodore’s most successful former student.’

‘Don’t get too impressed with yourself,’ George chuckled, wagging his finger. ‘Never forget, Alexandros, that I changed your nappies!’

Zander laughed. His grandfather was the only person he didn’t mind making fun of him—or using his full name—because they had been through so much together. As much as Felix fascinated him, Zander reserved his real respect for his beloved George.

‘Have you seen this?’ George picked up his newspaper to show Zander a headline.

FELIX SCOTT WILL ‘DESTROY THE SOUTH POLE’

Beneath the headline was a picture of Felix Scott next to a hologram projection of one of his proposed research resorts in Antarctica.

‘It seems even great people have their critics,’ George said. ‘This article says his plans could ruin the environment and even threaten the South Pole Peace Talks.’

Zander brought up another article on his phone, this one praising Felix Scott as Environmentalist of the Year, and handed it to his grandfather.

‘Who knows what to believe? According to this article, what Felix has planned could actually avoid war and preserve the environment.’

George shrugged. ‘Life is complicated when you want to save the world and make money.’ He closed the window on the phone then stared at the screen. ‘What’s this?’

‘A text message.’ Zander frowned.

‘From an unknown number.’

‘You know what it is?’ George asked.

Zander’s eyebrows arched. He could tell from his grandfather’s tone that he was about to be told.

‘This,’ George said, tapping the screen, ‘is an old symbol that represents the thunderbolts Zeus hurled from the heavens. He used it to defeat his enemies and defend his loved ones. Don’t you remember? From the mythology books I used to read to you?’

‘I seem to recall something like that,’ Zander said.

‘Sure, you do,’ George mocked gently, ‘no time for books with your face stuck in your too-smart glasses and phone all the time. Why does someone send you a Zeus symbol and some random number?’

Zander shrugged. ‘My guess is it’s Andy,’ he offered.

‘The American?’

‘He called me Zeus at the DARE Awards,’ Zander said.

George chuckled. ‘It is not an insult to be compared to the king of the gods.’

Zander smiled and turned to soak up the sun. The salty air and the sound of the seabirds calling to each other as they rode the ocean breezes were restful. But for Zander the spectacular location was haunted by a feeling of sadness. After his parents died in a terrible fire that ripped through their computer company’s offices, it had been insurance money that paid for this seaside house. In the three years since the tragedy, his grandfather had raised Zander as best he could. Despite his endless teasing, George took huge pride in what his grandson had achieved with his NEO Avenger game and the DARE Awards.

‘What time does this Egyptian girl arrive?’ George asked, changing the subject.

‘At seven,’ Zander said. ‘It’s a very quick flight from Cairo on a SpaceSkimmer.’

‘You’re going to meet her at the airport?’

‘Of course.’

George took a sip of his juice. ‘I saw this Yasmin girl looking at you in New York,’ he said with a cheeky grin. ‘I think she—’

‘Don’t say it,’ Zander warned.

George chortled. ‘I think she likes you.’

Zander felt colour rise in his cheeks. ‘I like her, too. But Yasmin and I are only going to be friends. Do you know what you’re always going to be?’

His grandfather shook his head.

‘A troublemaker.’

George grinned. ‘Like grandfather, like grandson, eh?’