'My name is Fortune and I am on trial for my life. They say I did magic that made the sea disappear, then come back again so monstrous and so fast no person could out-run the waves. The sea came so far inland, cows climbed trees to escape! But I didn't do magic. All I did was save a drowning boy: I pray he'll now speak the truth and save me . . .'

The year is 1607. When a catastrophic flood hits the Somerset coast, young sailor-in-disguise Fortune gets the blame. Locals are convinced witchcraft is at work. And Fortune - who is secretive, suspiciously good at swimming and, to everyone's surprise, a girl - is an obvious scapegoat. Even saving the life of her rival's only son doesn't clear her name. If anything, it makes matters worse . . .