Salka

Salka is a faerie who falls for Owain the human who fishes in the lake in which she lives. She decides to reveal herself to him and they swiftly become betrothed to be married - but she promises that if he ever strikes her more than three times then she will disappear from his life forever. He is horrified at the thought, but as prejudice and suspicion breeds in the town, Owain wishes his beautiful and gifted wife was more ordinary and did more to fit in. She tries, but ultimately can't and won't compromise. With each failure to conform, Owain shames her publicly, which for Salka constitutes a blow to the heart - on the third occasion she disappears from his life forever, going back into the lake, and taking their children and his homestead with her.
The story ends with Owain at the side of the lake calling to her - will she ever reappear again?
Narrated through the eyes of various characters in a theatrical verse-like manner, this is a timeless, heavyweight of a novella that will linger in the mind long after reading.

Francesca Simon spent her childhood on the beach in California and started writing stories at the age of eight. She has since written over 60 books. Horrid Henry has gone on to be published in 27 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. Francesca's opera with composer Gavin Higgins, THE MONSTROUS CHILD, based on her novel of the same name, premiered at the Royal Opera House in 2019. Her cantata THE FAERIE BRIDE, also with Gavin Higgins, premiered at the Aldeburgh Music Festival in 2022 - and is now published as a novel, called Salka of the Lake in October 2024 . Francesca was appointed MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours. Francesca is also a passionate ambassador for children's literacy and is a former trustee of the World Book Day charity.