Set in Stone (short story)

Set in Stone was the fifth short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: The History of Christmas. It was written by Charles Auchterlonie and John Isles. It featured the First Doctor, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright.

Summary
The Doctor, Barbara and Ian arrive in Scotland in 1950, as the Doctor has a job to do. He gets teaching jobs for his companions, and the three settle into a way of life. After some time, Barbara and Ian begin to consider staying behind when the Doctor leaves.

One day, the Doctor informs them of a task they have to do. They head for Westminster Abbey, where they hide in a closet until everyone has gone. They then use a contraption the Doctor has built to steal the Stone of Scone. Barbara drives the "getaway" van.

Two hours out of London, the van gets a flat tyre. Barbara starts to change it, but a police car approaches. Ian quickly removes the Stone from the van and hides nearby. The police stop and help Barbara change the tyre. After they leave, Ian brings the Stone back and they safely make it back to Kilmartin, where the Doctor hides the Stone in the TARDIS.

Several months later, the Doctor is ready to bring the Stone back to Arbroath Abbey. The device gives out and Ian drops the Stone, breaking it in two. The three quickly leave, and Barbara and Ian realise they can no longer stay in Kilmartin; there will be too many questions asked.

In the TARDIS, the Doctor takes them through many passageways to a garden. Resting in the garden is the real Stone of Scone; the one they brought back to Scotland (and broke) is a fake that the Doctor has made. The Stone is actually a psychic rock that was removed from its home. It is now content to stay in the TARDIS.

Characters

 * First Doctor
 * Barbara Wright
 * Ian Chesterton
 * Connor
 * Policeman

Continuity

 * The Doctor is still missing Susan. (TV: The Dalek Invasion of Earth)
 * Barbara reflects on her previous adventures: threatened by mutants (TV: The Daleks), posing as an Aztec god (TV: The Aztecs), shrinking to the size of an ant (TV: Planet of Giants) and meeting Marco Polo (TV: Marco Polo) and Napoleon Bonaparte. (TV: The Reign of Terror)