The Everlasting Match Girl (short story)

The Everlasting Match Girl was the fifth story in the Christmassy Tales anthology. Written by Paul Magrs, this story tied-into his Mars Trilogy of novels, being set within the events of Lost on Mars. Along with other servo-furnishings, it featured Toaster, who originated from Magrs' novel Sick Building, from the BBC New Series Adventures.

Plot
At Christmas the Servo-furnishing residents of the Stockpot building form a carol singing choir. Some of the wooden robots fear the legend of the Everlasting Match Girl, who was said to hate Servo-furnishings and has a tendency to burn them with her everlasting matches. Toaster rubbishes the legend as superstition and informs the group that he will protect them if anything were to happen on the streets of the City Inside.

During the night of carol singing the group stop by Lily Marlene, a lamp post Servo, who informs them that the Everlasting Match Girl is real but doesn't have a vendetta against Servos. On their way back home the group are set upon by some drunken louts. Cherry, a cocktail cabinet, is attacked and ransacked for her drink - although the criminals are annoyed when they discover that she only serves robot refreshments. Suddenly the louts are scared off by the arrival of the Everlasting Match Girl - who is revealed to be a Martian Ghost.

The Martian tells the group her story and says that she has been watching over them as she enjoyed their singing. Before long she flies away into the Martian sky.

Characters

 * Toaster
 * Cherry
 * Beryl
 * Lora
 * Arthur
 * Malcolm
 * Ella
 * Lily Marlene
 * Everlasting Match Girl

Continuity
to be added