Harold's Lakeside
Annalise presses Sam Kratz for an explanation as the scene continues, and Paul and Krista are keen for answers too. Sam insists that he can explain himself, 'just not here'. Annalise and Sam head off to discuss it in private. Paul asks Susan, 'What's his game?'

Harold's Café
Indoors, Sam K presents Annalise with a bottle of the Riesling wine she likes.

SAM K: I know it still means something.
ANNALISE: What are you doing here? Have you been sabotaging my work at Lassiter's?
SAM K: No, of course not!
ANNALISE: Well, it's not like you haven't sabotaged my job in the past.
SAM K: Oh, I'm not proud of that.
ANNALISE: And accessing my emails?
SAM K: I wanted to make sure you were okay. You'd cut off all contact with me. I know it was wrong. I felt gross doing it.
ANNALISE: I don't believe you.
SAM K: Annalise, I've never stopped loving you. I should've listened to your needs sooner; I regret that... Maybe you regret some things too. Maybe you even miss me.

Annalise looks conflicted. Meanwhile, Sadie is at the counter when Taye comes in. They've both come in for a staff briefing, and Taye suggests they hang out afterwards, 'as friends'. Sadie says she's sorry but she can't; she has plans.

SADIE: I bet there's someone else you can call?
TAYE: Yeah, no, for sure. I... I've actually been talking to a girl. You know, I'm back on the apps and stuff.
SADIE: Well, that's good to hear. Does this girl have a name?
TAYE: Belinda. (...) We've been hanging out. She's super fun.

Sadie says that's good for Taye, and rushes off without even saying goodbye. Taye's smile fades.

No 30
Remi, Cara, JJ and Dex are chatting about Aaron's forthcoming departure and farewell party. Dex observes that Cara called Aaron and Rhett being 'endgame' from the start. Cara confirms she'll be reminding everyone of that at the party! Remi suggests a family outing to the jewellery expo tomorrow.

JJ: Oh, it's not really my -
DEX: He would love to.

Cara says she's free too, and so it is agreed. Taye then comes in and slumps into Cara's chair.

TAYE: If anyone asks, I'm not here.
CARA: Well, where are you, then?
TAYE: With my new GF.
DEX: That was quick.
JJ: Hold on - weren't you just complaining to Nell that Sadie broke you? How are you all fixed?
TAYE: Oh, I'm not. I'm worse. And apparently, I'm the guy who makes up a fake girlfriend.
REMI: You did not.
TAYE: I did. I hate Fake Girlfriend Guy.
CARA: Nobody likes that guy.
DEX: Except his girlfriend.
JJ: Yeah, but she's fake, so it doesn't actually count.

The Waterhole
Paul is briefing the pub staff ahead of the jewels arriving for the exhibition. Annalise, Lucy, Krista and Leo come in; Annalise is explaining to the others that Sam K has denied trying to sabotage the expo, but she's not sure she believes him as he's lied to her before. But she admits she didn't give him much time to explain.

Annalise then gets a text from Johan, the expo director, who is just checking in at the hotel. Paul offers to meet Johan as Annalise has her hands full, telling her to have a break tonight. But once Annalise has gone, Krista tells Paul pointedly that she will be the one greeting Johan. She goes off to do just that, leaving Paul looking peeved. Lucy gives him a 'you've only got yourself to blame' kind of look.

No 28
Annalise is chatting to Karl and Susan. Susan admits they should probably have checked with Annalise before inviting Sam K to stay with them. Karl says Sam seems genuine about wanting her back, albeit doesn't agree with his methods. But he does think Sam is sorry and won't give Annalise any more trouble at Lassiter's. At this point, Sam himself comes in.

SAM K: How's this? Both of us back on Ramsay Street.

But Annalise simply thanks the Kennedys for the cuppa, and goes to leave. Sam begs her to stay and let him explain what's been going on; he thinks she'll like what he has to say.

ANNALISE: Nothing is going to fix this, okay?

She storms out. Susan tells Sam that he crossed a line; it won't be easy for Annalise to forgive him.

Lassiter's Complex
The next day, the jewellery expo is in full swing. The courtyard is full of display cases holding various exhibits. In the car park, Katrina Marshall kisses someone we can't see clearly in a car, then gets out and heads towards the hotel for her shift. Taye, who is walking in the same direction, clocks this, though doesn't think anything of it.

Lassiter's Hotel
Paul thanks Krista for easing up on him being here today. Krista says she hasn't; he's only here because he messaged the Bronze Bell judges last night purporting to be their primary point of contact.

KRISTA: But I am. Make no mistake about that. But they'll expect to see you.

As colleagues gather in reception, Paul tells the staff, including Sadie, Taye and Katrina, that they need to be the 'gold standard' today while the judges are present.

TAYE: Don't you mean the bronze standard?

Katrina is yawning, evidently having had a late night! Krista pulls her up on it and apologises. Paul says that the judges' first port of call after check- in will be the main exhibition in the Waterhole.

The Waterhole
But as Annalise and Lucy arrive to inspect the exhibition, it seems somebody else has got there first! One of the display cases has been vandalised, although its jewellery contents don't appear to have been taken.

Lassiter's Hotel
Paul is still briefing the staff, telling them that the judges will be able to sample anything the hotel can offer after lunch, including the spa or the Piano Bar. At this point, the judges - Henni, Francine and James - arrive. Paul and Krista introduce themselves and start schmoozing. Katrina takes the judges to check them in. Taye gets a message, presumably from Annalise on a work chat group, and shows Paul.

The Waterhole
Paul is horrified as he assesses the damage in the exhibition room, where he and Krista have joined Annalise and Lucy. Krista wonders if it was an attempted robbery.

PAUL: We need to handle this as discreetly as possible.
ANNALISE: I need someone to get me a crowbar.

Everyone looks perplexed! But shortly afterwards, we see Annalise using the crowbar to smash up the rest of the display cases to match the vandalised one, in order to make the damage look like a deliberate part of the exhibition (!) Paul is sceptical that this will work, but Lucy and Krista seem convinced!

The effect is achieved just as Johan the expo director comes in. He's initially taken aback by the mess.

JOHAN: I don't remember this being part of the creative!
ANNALISE: Uh, it was a last- minute decision. We figured that everyone's seen the crown jewels, you know? Yawn, right?
KRISTA: Yes, this is an exhibition that they're never gonna forget.
JOHAN: It's avant- garde... I like it!

Krista, Paul, Annalise and Lucy sigh with relief as Johan walks on. But they are all wondering who is responsible for the original damage, given they haven't even bothered to steal anything. Annalise gets a message and announces she has to go to the Kennedys'.

Lassiter's Hotel
Back at reception, Paul and Krista continue to schmooze the three Bronze Bell judges, who seem pleased enough with their rooms and are now keen for coffee - so Paul herds them towards the Piano Bar. He quietly remarks to Krista that their quick thinking has saved the day.

KRISTA: You mean, Annalise's quick thinking. When you've finished with them, *I* will take them up to the mezzanine.

Paul objects, wanting to stay with the judges, but Krista just glares at him.

Meanwhile, Sadie catches Taye texting, and asks if he's messaging 'Belinda'. He claims he is, continuing the lie. But as Sadie walks off, Taye sees Katrina having a furtive phone conversation behind reception. He listens in.

KATRINA: I love you too. But it's... it's risky... Please don't ask me to do that... Please.

Taye looks concerned.

Harold's Café
The Varga- Murphys have arrived ahead of going to the exhibition. At the counter, Remi asks if Cara's sure she's okay to be at the expo today, given she had some police work she was busy with. Cara says it's fine, and that she'd rather be here. Meanwhile, JJ is fiddling absently with his phone on a sofa, and Dex, who is next to him, tries to snap him out of it.

DEX: Dude, our mums are getting along. Maybe put your phone down and pretend to have some fun?

JJ puts his phone away as their mums join them.

Meanwhile, Paul asks Lucy if he's still in her bad books over the embezzlement. Lucy says Terese has helped her to understand. But nonetheless, Lucy wants Paul to step back from the hotel.

PAUL: Why? Why can't I have it all?
LUCY: Because you are a nightmare! You have two capable women ready to step up. If you keep meddling, you're actually going to lose them.

Paul asks Lucy for a favour; he wants her to check on his daughter Elle when she gets back to New York, as he can tell there's something untoward going on with her.

PAUL: I know she's a tough cookie, but at the end of the day, she's still my baby girl.

No 28
Susan and Karl are cooking while Annalise and Sam K chat at the dining table. We learn that Sam has made some kind of an offer, which Annalise is telling him to withdraw. But he says the seller has accepted, and he's put his construction business up for sale too.

ANNALISE: You know, you can't just buy me back! What you're doing is controlling and manipulative. And they're the reasons why I wanted a separation.
SAM K: Annalise, I can see why this might look like a quick fix, but it's not. It's so much more to me. I've been stuck in my own world. I've been obsessed with work, because I wanted to provide for you and give you the best life.
ANNALISE: Money can't buy happiness.
SAM K: I lost sight of that. When you said you wanted to move back here, all I saw was an obstacle to my plans.
ANNALISE: You know, all I've ever done is support you. And then, when it's my turn, you sabotage me!
SAM K: I know. The thing is, Annalise, I see what you see now. Us in Lorne. A small town, life in the sun. You running your own business. I want that for you. And I want that life with you.
ANNALISE: The way you've gone about this, it's -
SAM K: Unforgivable. I know. I'll withdraw the offer, if that's what you really want. But I just want to make you happy. It's all I've ever wanted.

Annalise storms out again! Susan and Karl offer words of comfort to Sam, saying it's good he opened up to her and that she may just need more time. Sam seems unconvinced.

SAM K: I love her so much. Now I've lost her. Lost her forever.
SUSAN: Let me try. Maybe I can help.

The Waterhole
Susan comes in and chats to Annalise. Annalise doesn't know what to make of Sam K's behaviour; she isn't sure she can believe anything he says.

SUSAN: I understand why you would doubt him...
ANNALISE: But I feel some of the famous Susan Kennedy advice coming on.
SUSAN: I see Sam's mistakes, I do. But I also see his regret.
ANNALISE: I dunno. Too little, too late.
SUSAN: Oh, is it ever too late? Karl and I have defied the odds on more than one occasion.

Annalise looks over at Krista, and remarks that she looks so happy.

ANNALISE: I used to be like that. When I was with Sam.
SUSAN: It's hard to find your soulmate. If there's any part of you that still sees that in Sam - and if you genuinely want to come back, both of you - then, I dunno, maybe all this happened for a reason?

Lassiter's Hotel
Katrina looks worried as she takes another call on her mobile.

KATRINA: Okay. Okay, I'll do it.

Taye approaches again, just in time to see Katrina go into the office and break the glass on an emergency panel, causing the hotel fire alarm to go off. She rushes out, looking upset.

Lassiter's Complex
Everyone is gathering in the courtyard as the fire alarm continues to blare. Taye catches up with Katrina and demands to know why she set the alarm off. Paul and Krista join the conversation; Taye explains how he heard Katrina being 'all shady' on the phone. Krista and Paul demand an explanation.

KATRINA (tearful): I'm sorry. I didn't want to do it. Any of it!
PAUL: Any of what? Do you know something about the sabotage?
KATRINA: I... I fell for him. I believed all his promises.
KRISTA: Who are you talking about?

She nods over to the car park, where the man she was kissing earlier is now more clearly visible to us. It's Brett Heade, the incompetent stand- in hotel manager from last year who was always sacking off work to play golf! Krista gets into the front of his car, and Paul into the back.

KRISTA: Hello, Brett.
PAUL: Hi, I'm Paul Robinson. We never actually met when you managed the place.
KRISTA: Mismanaged.
PAUL: Ah, yeah. But I'm sure you remember just how close we are to the police station, don't you?

Brett pulls a 'bah, my plan is foiled!' face.

Harold's Café
Annalise is having another chat with Sam K. She makes it clear she's not happy with how he's gone about things, and if she decides to give him another chance, things will have to be different. Sam looks thrilled to hear that he's in with a chance.

Paul, Terese, Susan and Lucy all come in, discussing Brett Heade. Krista explains that he's been unemployable since she fired him; this stunt with the expo sabotage has been his way of getting revenge. Paul says that Katrina has also been disgruntled due to being overlooked for a promotion. Krista says she 'almost' feels sorry for Katrina. Paul definitely doesn't!

KRISTA: Love makes you do crazy things, and she was clearly being manipulated by Brett.

Exposition thus complete, the group are joined by Sam and Annalise, who it transpires in the last thirty seconds have agreed to give their relationship another shot. Annalise tells everyone about the boutique hotel that Sam is buying for her to run in Lorne, which means she won't be staying in Erinsborough after all. But Annalise says it's been an honour working alongside Krista.

ANNALISE (to Paul): And you, not so much.

Everyone laughs as Paul looks annoyed!

TERESE: What? You had it coming.

While Lucy and Sam share a 'proper hello' in the background, Annalise takes Krista aside and asks if she's let her down. Krista insists she hasn't.

KRISTA: Is this what you really want?
ANNALISE: I still love him, despite everything.
KRISTA: Then I'm happy for you.
ANNALISE: Even if it leaves you without a co- manager? (...) For what it's worth, I think you're incredible.
KRISTA: I think *you're* incredible.

They hug. Krista then asks Paul for a private word.

Lassiter's Complex
Katrina and Brett are being led towards the police station, while Krista instructs somebody on the phone to look after the Bronze Bell judges who are apparently at the rooftop pool. Paul tells her he knows he has some making up to do, and suggests they advertise for another manager, while he will remain on hand to help out.

KRISTA: No.
PAUL: No, what?
KRISTA: I already gave you my terms. I want you out.
PAUL: Or what? I mean, Lucy already knows about the money, and Annalise is not here to help you anymore. So I can't just leave you in the lurch.
KRISTA: I don't need another manager. I can do the top job myself.
PAUL: Oh, come on, Krista!
KRISTA: Paul, you owe me. As a business partner, and a father- in- law. I'm not budging on this. I know what I'm doing. You are Leo's father, and I want to have a good relationship with you.
PAUL: And we have that!
KRISTA: We *had* that. And then business got in the way. It's time for you to take a step back.

Paul doesn't look happy...

The Waterhole
Cara and Remi are admiring the jewellery exhibits.

CARA: I don't get why the boys were bored. This is ritzy as!

Remi has her eye on a priceless necklace.

CARA: Oh, yeah, I can see you rocking that.
REMI: For my big night out at Grease Monkeys.
CARA: Oh, well, dessert at Harold's afterwards.

They move on to look at a ring with a huge diamond.

REMI: When the ring costs more than the wedding reception!
CARA: Hmm, I dunno. It's always possible to improvise. I once knew a chick on a *very* tight budget.
REMI: Did you, now?
CARA: Oh yeah. Carved an engagement ring out of an orange. Carved that orange ever so delicately, got down on bended knee, and said to the woman she loves...
REMI (American accent): Orange you glad you met me? Would you be my wife?

But both of them then look shocked at what's just happened.

CARA: You remember!
REMI: ...
CARA: Does that mean that you remember me?

Coming up on Neighbours
- Sadie asks Taye if 'Belinda' is coming to the jewellery expo
- Wendy and Andrew run into Holly at the complex; Holly looks disconcerted
- Max admits to Aaron that he's worried about Holly; she's not herself at the moment
- Holly tells Andrew she can't stop thinking about him; he says he can't stop thinking about her either
- But Aaron is watching them from a distance...