null: It's 1974, in the middle of the Cold War. The three day week, petrol rationing and industrial strife has plunged Britain into a state of emergency. Against this turbulent backdrop, Charles Thoroughgood, a trainee spy in MI6, Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, is asked to revive his former friendship with Viktor Koslov, a Russian diplomat he knew at university with a view to 'turning' him. But Viktor has his own agenda and reveals a shocking truth about Charles’ own family that threatens to derail him, both personally and professionally.