In 1987, Lucy leaves to visit Bradley for several months. Upon her return, Lucy's (now Close) mood and attitude noticeably change, which annoys her family and friends. Lucy then organises a dinner party but none of her guests arrive. Realising her attitude has alienated her friends, Lucy changes her ways and soon fits in. She attends both of her brother's weddings. However, Lucy's behaviour becomes strange when she lets Bouncer off his leash while walking him, and is later dropped from the netball team, and generally become forgetful and clumsy. Nobody can figure out what is going until Scott tries to wake Lucy from a nap but is unable to. Lucy is rushed to hospital, where it is discovered she has a large brain tumour. The Robinsons are worried but remain hopeful and the surgery is a success. During her stay in hospital, Lucy meets Rick Hansen (Dominic McDonald), a fellow patient around her age and they become friends after a difficult start. When Lucy finds the nurses stripping Rick's bed, she assumes he has died and is left devastated but Rick reappears and tells her he is being discharged and invites her to join him in the country over the holidays, which she accepts.