Twenty twelve - Helen Black

As the UK struggles with a hopeless war in the Middle East, the worst recession in a hundred years and a fraud scandal which has rocked the government to its core, the Prime Minister is determined to host an unrivalled summer of sporting achievement at the London Olympics to propel the country into a new era.

Joe Moran, MP for Primrose Hill and keen long distance runner and sports fan, is among the many around the world eagerly anticipating the games and is delighted when he is asked to become minister for Sports and Heritage, heavily involved in the plans for the opening ceremony.It beats the tedium of life in Westminster as even meetings are less boring when the subject matter is sport.Less boring that is, until the first bomb explodes... and MI5 uncover a plot to kill thousands of people while the world watches on television.