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Magic Moments
> 2025
> Lucy's Return
Episode 9299
Written
by Sarah Mayberry, Directed
by Scott Major, Produced
by Andrew Thompson
10: 21/08/25, Amazon: 21/08/25
Holly and Andrew sleep together in a hotel room... Max is surprised to learn that Holly spent the night at the hotel and didn't call him... Andrew tells
Holly that it was a one-off... Aaron is concerned when he sees Holly and Andrew together... With the expo only a week away, Paul and Krista learn that
Annalise has left town for a few days... Paul finds the contract of sale for Power Road and encourages Terese to find an alternative way to pay off her
debts... Paul says that Lucy has just arrived in Melbourne and has met Annalise at the airport... Leo overs Paul telling Terese that he hopes Lucy won't
notice that he used money from the hotel to bail her out...
As Paul tries to brush it off, Leo wants to know what's going on, and how Terese could be OK with him taking money from the hotel. Terese quickly explains
that she didn't know and that she thought Paul was lending her money from his own savings. Paul tells Leo about Terese's debts and how she was going to
have to give up Eirini Rising, so he bailed her out with some of his own money and some borrowed from the hotel, though he always planned to pay it back
before the next quarterly report. Leo can't believe that he did this behind Krista's back and Paul explains that nobody would have needed to know if Lucy
hadn't brought forward the financial report. As Leo reaches for his phone, Paul asks his son not to tell Krista and so Leo agrees, but says that Paul will
have to tell her himself.
 ..
At Harolds, Krista greets Annalise and Lucy, who says that it was nice to be able to arrive together, as there's safety in numbers! She explains that, when
she recommended Annalise to Paul, she had no idea that he was going to pit her and Krista against each other and that he's gone too far. As Annalise and
Lucy chat about Beth and her new man, Krista gets a message from Leo, who urgently wants to meet with her. Krista arranges to meet Annalise afterwards to
talk about the expo, then heads off, as Lucy asks Annalise about her feelings on coming to work at Lassiters Erinsborough full-time. Annalise admits that
she'd love to take the job there but she'll only do it with Krista's blessing.
Outside the Waterhole, Aaron is at work and is checking tables, when Max asks him if he'd find it strange if Rhett booked a hotel room for the night and
didn't tell him about it. Aaron is surprised by directness of the question and Max explains that Holly stayed at Lassiters last night and, when he found
out, she said that she'd just needed some space but the more he thinks about it, the more confused he is. Aaron doesn't necessarily think that Holly is
upset with Max, but he points out that she's been stressed lately about the Bowman stuff and he wants to be there for her, but she keeps pushing him away
and he doesn't know what to do. Aaron suggests that Holly will be ready to talk at some point and, when she is, Max just needs to be ready to listen.
 ..
At the tram, Krista is horrified to learn that Paul took $300,000 from the hotel without telling her and she can't believe that nobody noticed. Paul
explains that he took a little bit from here and a little bit from there and he was planning to pay it all back, as Krista realises that this is why he
wanted to delay the financial report. Paul tries to claim that he's coming into some dividends soon, and they'll both be getting a bonus if they win the
Bronze Bell, so it'll be paid back quickly, but Krista has had enough and leaves. Leo reminds his dad that Krista's name is above the door of the hotel
too, before going after his wife.
At no. 26, Andrew and Wendy are enjoying a spa together, though she's hardly touched the cheese board, admitting that she's feeling a little nervous and
the upcoming jewellery competition. Andrew tries to reassure his wife, but she says that the other entrants have great social media skills and can make
their products look much better. Andrew reminds her how creative she is, at which point she comes up with the idea of using him to model her jewellery.
She's delighted when he reluctantly agrees and they hug, but Andrew's face drops when Wendy describes him as 'the perfect husband'...
 ..
At no. 32, Max surprises Holly with a picnic by the pool, failing to notice that she's not entirely enthusiastic about the whole thing.
At the penthouse, Leo asks Krista what she's planning to do about Annalise - Krista admits that, an hour ago, she was going to tell her that she wanted her
to co-manage the hotel but now, she isn't sure that she even wants to stay at Lassiters herself. Leo says that this is why he'd never go into business with
Paul, or borrow money from him, but he'll support Krista in whatever she wants to do. He points out that Paul is going to need Krista on board if he wants
to split his time between Erinsborough and New York, but their conversation is interrupted as Annalise gets out of the lift. She says that she got Krista
message and asks what she wants to talk about, but then notices Krista's face and asks if this is bad news. Krista, however, smiles and says that she has
an idea that could be a gamechanger.
 ..
At no. 26, Wendy is attempting to get Andrew to pose whilst wearing her jewellery, but he's finding it very difficult. Wendy tells him to relax and tries
to get him to laugh, but nothing is working. He then asks if she could maybe find someone else to do the modelling, which gives Wendy an idea and she rushes
off, telling Andrew to wait where he is.
Back at no. 32, Max and Holly's awkward picnic continues, as he tries to keep her happy with food and drink and she tells him to just relax and stop playing
waiter. He says that he just wants her to be happy and he asks if there's anything she wants to talk about - Holly hesitates and is about to say no, when
Wendy suddenly turns up. She spots Holly and says that she needs her expertise, as Andrew is meant to be modelling for her but he's acting like a robot.
Max points out to Wendy that he and Holly are in the middle of something and Wendy apologises and says she'll take care of it herself, but Holly stops her,
asking what she needs. Max looks unimpressed as Holly agrees to go and try to help Andrew relax with some tips from her own modelling experience. Wendy then
leaves and Holly says that she'll follow her over, before telling an irritated Max that she'll only be gone for five minutes.
 ..
Over at no. 22, Paul and Terese are treated to a surprise visit from Lucy, who says that nobody seems to be answering their phone today. Terese apologises,
saying that it's been one of those days, as Paul hugs his sister, hoping that they can put business to one side for a few minutes. As Terese and Lucy chat
about Mark and Annie, Paul gets a message and says that he has to go and deal with something, explaining that Leo needs him. Lucy tells him not to be long,
as she wants to run through the expo plans and the quarterly report, before they can catch up as brother and sister. Paul rushes off, telling Terese to catch
Lucy up with the news from Port Douglas. Terese then sits Lucy down and tells her that Harold and Agnes are moving in together, though Lucy seems more
concerned about her brother's odd behaviour.
At no. 26, Andrew is surprised when Wendy returns with Holly, who claims that she's now the resident expert on jewellery modelling. As Wendy changes the
camera battery, Holly quietly apologises to Andrew, saying that Wendy was adamant, and then they start talking at a normal volume, with Holly saying that
it sounds like Andrew was struggling to relax. Wendy thinks that people will be able to tell if he's faking it, so she asks Holly to coach Andrew as he
starts to pose for more pictures. She moves his arm and they both feel something as she touches him, but they quickly snap back into reality as Wendy takes
some photos, thanking Holly, as it's already starting to look better.
 ..
At the penthouse, Paul is surprised by Krista's suggestion that he should step back from the hotel completely. As Leo and Annalise listen, Krista confirms
that he won't be able to just pop his head in and interfere between visits to New York, which Paul takes to mean that he'll be a silent partner. She says
that she hasn't sudden become delusional and she can't see him ever being silent, but she demands full autonomy. Paul then turns to Annalise, who says that
Krista has her full support in this, with Leo adding that it's all up to Paul now. He asks what Krista will do if he turns down this offer - she says that
she won't just walk away from the hotel, but, after their bid for the Bronze Bell is complete, she wants an answer from him. At this, Annalise leaves to go
and check on the expo, and Paul then asks Krista if she told Annalise about him taking the loan from the hotel. Krista confirms that she hasn't told
Annalise or Lucy - yet - but she'll use this as leverage against him if she has to. Paul tells her that she's asking a lot of him, but Krista angrily
replies that he's asked a lot of her too. Leo then tries to calm things down a little, pointing out that Paul has been looking for a change of pace,
so stepping away from the hotel could be the answer. Krista stands up and tells Paul that this is for the best.
With signage for the expo starting to go up, Paul walks out into the hotel complex and looks around, contemplating his future. He then turns around and
walks back inside.
 ..
Back at no. 26, Andrew is now shirtless and Wendy suddenly suggests that Holly could be in the photos too, as they look so good together. Both Andrew and
Holly are taken aback by the suggestion and he tries to get them out of it, pointing out that Holly modelled for the expo so it might be confusing. Wendy,
however, thinks that very thing would give her photos some 'street cred' and so they reluctantly agree. As they make some awkward poses with each other,
Wendy goes over and puts them in position, with Andrew's arm around Holly. Wendy then continues to take photos, unaware of what's going on right in front
of her, and Andrew eventually says that he's had enough. He storms off into the house, as Wendy apologises to Holly, saying that she knew he didn't want
to do this and she clearly pushed him too far. As Wendy checks the photos, Holly says that she needs to get back to Max.
Inside no. 26, Andrew is pacing around the kitchen when Holly comes in and asks if he's OK. He says that she must already know the answer to that and
demands to know what she was thinking, coming over to the house like that. Holly tells him that Wendy asked her to come, though Andrew thinks that she
could have said no, pointing out that they were standing there, posing, in front of his wife and that they agreed not to see each other again. Holly tells
Andrew that she misses him and that she knows that he feels the same way or else he wouldn't be getting so worked up. Andrew denies that he's worked up,
but Holly puts her hand on his chest and says that his heart is beating at a million miles an hour, challenging him to deny that it's because of her.
Just as he's attempting to reply, Max lets himself in, and Andrew and Holly quickly pull away from each other. Max has brought the picnic food with him
and says that it could easily be a spa picnic instead of a pool picnic. Holly then suggests a lounge room picnic over a no. 28, and she and Max leave as
Andrew breathes a sigh of relief.
 ..
That evening, at the penthouse, Annalise and Krista are discussing the ultimatum that was giving to Paul, with Krista admitting that she has no idea what
he's going to do. Krista apologises to Annalise if this feels like she's also gambling on her future, but Annalise says that she understands - Paul is
impossible to work with. She asks Krista what she'll do if Paul says no, and Krista jokes that she'll have to ask Leo for a waitressing job at the vineyard.
Lucy then turns up, looking for Paul, but Krista says that he isn't there and that Leo is just putting Abigail to bed, but is excited to see her. Lucy sits
down and asks if she's looking at the hotel's new management team - Annalise says that she might be, but they have to sort out a few things with Paul first.
Lucy then asks Krista when they can look over the quarterly report and, as Krista tries to claim that it hasn't been done yet, Lucy says that Paul told her
that it had. With Krista saying that she must have made a mistake and Annalise then quickly asking if she wants to look at the expo plans, Lucy starts to
smell a rat.
At no. 28, Holly and Max are watching a movie together, but she's distracted by thoughts of Andrew.
 ..
Meanwhile, at no. 26, Andrew is similarly lost in his thoughts about Holly, until Wendy snaps him out of it, declaring that she's found the perfect photo.
Andrew goes over and takes a look at the picture of him and Holly, as Wendy unwittingly declares that they look perfect together.
Back at no. 28, Holly and Max continue to watch the movie, with him completely oblivious to the fact that her mind is elsewhere.
 ..
At no. 22, Paul still can't believe that Krista wants him to step back from the hotel completely, but Terese tells him to just wait and see how things
develop. She goes to answer the door - it's Lucy, who demands to know what's going on. She explains that she's just spoken to the Head of Accounts, who
told her that Paul had put out an order for him not to prepare the quarterly report. Paul tries to claim that he's had issues with that man's performance,
though Lucy reminds him that, earlier, he said that the report was complete. She wants to know what he's hiding from her, and Terese finally pipes up and
reveals the truth about her own financial problems and Paul bailing her out. After asking whether Krista approved this 'loan', Lucy points out that one of
the conditions of the licence is that they must not misuse company funds. Paul reminds her that it's his company, at which point she reminds him that he
only owns half of it, and that it's still subject to the rules of the franchise. Paul then asks her to turn a blind eye like they used to in the old days,
but she tells him that it isn't the 90s now and they have higher standards, which he has breached. He suggests that they sort all of this out after the expo,
but Lucy tells him that he won't be going anywhere near the expo, as she's banning him from the hotel, effective immediately. She then turns and walks out,
leaving Paul stunned.
Featured Regular Characters: Paul Robinson, Terese Willis, Leo Tanaka, Krista Sinclair, Aaron Brennan, Max Ramsay, Andrew Rodwell, Wendy Rodwell, Holly Hoyland
Guest Cast:
Melissa Bell as Lucy Robinson, Kimberley Davies as Annalise Hartman
Trivia Notes
• Melissa Bell returns as Lucy Robinson, having
last appeared for David's funeral in 2024
• Past characters Harold Bishop, Agnes Adair, Mark Gottlieb, Beth Brennan and Ned Willis are mentioned
Summary
by Steve
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