‘I want you to go in there over to the far corner — don’t let him see you till you get there.’, ‘When you’re there, make sure he does see you, then you know what to do.’, Rumbo groaned aloud. The cat returned and was further put out at the sight of me gobbling down food which she felt was rightfully hers. Something wet struck my head and instinctively I flinched. He began to climb again. There were never many in the yard, he made sure of that, but occasionally the odd two or three would make a reconnoitre, looking for a fresh supply of food, I suppose, or perhaps a new breeding ground. It had been a hot day. ‘Maybe this is why I can remember, why I’m different. An evolvement. ‘Get lost,’ I replied with more coolness than I actually felt. Fluke is the moving story of a dog with the memories of a human, with the signature twisting plot James Herbert is famed for. ‘Rumbo!’ I screamed, and dashed forward even before the crashing cars had had time to settle. A dog has to eat to live, so you take food where you find it. You can’t even eat them! The Guvnor, who was half-way back to his office when the police arrived, stood transfixed for a few seconds, then turned and bolted towards us. ‘Hungry?’ he asked. I shouted at him again and he roared mockingly at me, increasing his taps to a very annoying degree. Everything was so muted, the colours barely distinguishable apart from their varying tones, only hues of greys and muddy browns. ‘Poor old thing. In due fairness to her, I think the best I can say is she treated me like a dog. It would frighten me, for I would think I’d pushed him too far, his searching mind becoming lost within itself, unable to find the route back. Do you hate us because we’re free, not domesticated, not… ‘ he paused, grinning slyly,’… neutered as you are?’, Rumbo bridled at this last remark. When we stopped, about a hundred miles later, he was smacking his lips contentedly. It certainly breaks away from the chiller type of horror we expect from Herbert. I crashed around in the dark, frightening night creatures, disturbing those who were sleeping, and finally fell limp and weeping into a hollow covered with brambles. These creatures have paid their price. Please visit my blog to buy Fluke on DVD through the link there. And sure enough, not more than five minutes later, headlights appeared at the end of the lane and a car bumped its way towards the house. Born again. The badger settled himself into a comfortable position on the ground and invited me to do the same and, after a moment’s hesitation, I did. I don’t say I recognised the actual words then, but I understood the intent. He began to lap greedily at the water and I, my stomach fit to burst, drifted over and did the same. Then Lenny did a puzzling thing: he placed a hand on either mug and whirled them in circles around each other, never letting their lips come off the ground. . But if I were dead, then how did I die? The mouth opened wide, exposing closed teeth that were subtle shades of yellow, green and blue. I dived into the alleyways separating the piles of damaged cars and pursued the pursuers. All animals or insects — fish even — have a way of communication whether it’s by sound, scent or body display, and I’ve come to learn that even the dumbest creature has some sort of mental link with his own species — as well as others. The pain sent me back again, but I returned just as quickly. Her white hair hung wildly down to her shoulders and the billowy nightdress she wore crackled with static. I sat there stunned. I was amazed at the teeming activity and a little in awe of it, for I had never realised so much went on in these sheltered areas. However, the hardship made us more cunning, swifter in our attacks, and more resourceful in our methods. We’d had many disagreements in our partnership, but one or other of us had usually given way out of mutual respect for the other’s special qualities: Reg’s business acumen or my knowledge of plastics. ‘Fluke’ weaves a suspenseful story about a stray dog who soon realizes that it used to be a man in its previous life. It was a beautifully fresh day and the air was filled with different scents. I was curious, that’s all.’, She seemed to realise I was no threat and her attitude relaxed a little. This startled Bella into wakefulness and she looked around for a few moments as though she didn’t know where she was. I heard footsteps coming back down the lane and, when she drew level with my hiding-place, raced around the other side, scooting towards the gate. Could I speak? The reason for getting rid of me, I imagine, was because I was a pest. 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