Way of the Loser

He lets other people take the credit, avoids opportunities with impressive titles, and occasionally sacrifices his queen to an eleven-year-old who wishes he would stop patronizing her.He considers this a peaceful way to live. His best friend Ben, who usually ends up doing the extra work, has reservations.Then the building housing their community center goes up for sale. A developer has plans for it. The people who depend on its crowded rooms have nowhere else to go. And a televised competition offering half a million pounds gives Leo an unwelcome chance to help.Once a gifted competitor, Leo knows how to win. He also remembers what he was willing to do for it.As the cameras turn his reluctance into a marketable personality, he finds himself making promises he may not be able to keep. His opponents have people counting on them too. Meanwhile, a journalist asking inconvenient questions is getting uncomfortably close to the story he has always told about himself.For years, Leo has had an excellent explanation for never trying very hard. Now Ben needs him on time, the roof needs repairing, and nobody can pay the bills with an explanation.