In Summer Bay, survival has never been simple — but for Mali Hudson, the fight to protect his livelihood is about to become deeply personal. After weeks away

in Mantaray Point helping his sister Lana with childcare responsibilities, Mali returns home expecting to slip back into the familiar rhythm of salt air, customers browsing boards,

and the steady thrum of surf lessons keeping the lights on. Instead, he walks straight into a storm. What he finds waiting for him is not the thriving small business he left behind, but a shop teetering on the brink.

A Risky Decision Comes Home to Roost

In what many now see as a leap of faith that backfired, Mali had entrusted day-to-day operations to new assistant Lacey. She was enthusiastic, eager, and grateful for the opportunity — but still painfully inexperienced. It didn’t take long for cracks to show.

Lacey struggled with the basics, and in a desperate attempt to keep things afloat, she leaned on her boyfriend Theo to run the surf lessons that brought in the bulk of the income. When Mali eventually learned of the arrangement before his trip, he reluctantly allowed it, believing the temporary fix would be enough.

It wasn’t.

Within days of Mali’s departure, the numbers told a frightening story. The shop was already bleeding money. Orders were delayed. Stock wasn’t moving. Students were unhappy. Refund requests began piling up.

Abigail stepped in, determined to steady the ship until Mali came home. Together, she and Lacey hoped they could ride out the turbulence.

But turbulence turned into a tailspin.

Theo Walks Away — And Takes the Profits With Him

The situation worsened when Lacey discovered that Theo had declined the chance to return to his job at the garage because he felt obligated to help the board shop. Knowing surfing was his real passion, and hating the idea of holding him back, Lacey encouraged Abigail to release him from the commitment.

It was a compassionate decision.

Financially, it was catastrophic.

With their star instructor gone, bookings collapsed. Angry customers wanted refunds. Confidence in the business began to erode across the Bay.

Mac urged Abigail to come clean to Mali immediately. Secrets, she warned, had a way of detonating at the worst possible moment.

Before Abigail could gather the courage, fate intervened — Mali was already on his way home.

A Warm Welcome, A Cold Reality

Mali’s return is filled with smiles, hugs, and relief. Mac, Levi, and Abigail can see he’s in good spirits, recharged by family time and completely unaware of the financial avalanche waiting for him.

Abigail tries — and fails — to find the words.

The next morning, Mali senses it instantly. Something is wrong. Abigail finally confesses that she made the call to let Theo go, and that the books need urgent attention.

Even then, Mali remains optimistic. Problems can be solved. Hard work fixes things. They’ll figure it out.

But once they reach the shop and Abigail lays everything bare — the dissatisfied students, the mountain of unshaped boards, the supply nightmares — the scale of the disaster becomes impossible to ignore.

Abigail voices the terrifying, practical question: how can Mali possibly craft boards and run lessons at the same time? There simply aren’t enough hours in the day.

In her view, there is only one viable solution.

Lacey has to go.

Heart vs. Head

To Abigail, it’s business. They need someone capable of instructing, organizing, and restoring customer trust immediately. Lacey, despite her best intentions, isn’t delivering.

To Mali, it’s human.

He knows how much the job means to her. He understands what it’s like to be given a chance. The thought of firing someone who tried — and who clearly cares — sits like a stone in his stomach.

When Lacey arrives and thanks him for being patient, unaware of the debate raging behind her back, the guilt is almost unbearable. She talks about teamwork, about loyalty, about relying on each other.

Abigail watches Mali falter. The clock is ticking. Every day of hesitation costs them more.

A Gamble That Could Change Everything

Cornered by compassion and reality, Mali makes a bold, risky call. Instead of letting Lacey go, he offers her a lifeline — and a challenge.

Learn to surf.

If she can become capable of running lessons as well as managing the shop, she can stay. Her job will be secure, and the business might yet claw its way back.

It’s a solution fueled by hope rather than certainty.

For Abigail, it’s terrifying. Training takes time they don’t have. Customers may not wait. Another mistake could finish them.

For Lacey, it’s everything. Failure means humiliation and unemployment. Success could transform her life.

And for Mali, it’s a defining moment. He’s choosing belief in a person over the safer financial cut.

What Happens Next?

Summer Bay has always rewarded heart — but not without demanding sacrifice.

Can Lacey rise fast enough to become the employee the shop desperately needs? Will customers give them another chance? Or is Mali risking total collapse because he can’t bear to break someone’s spirit?

One thing is undeniable: the easy days at the board shop are over.

Mali returned home expecting routine. Instead, he’s facing the fight of his professional life, balancing loyalty, leadership, and the brutal mathematics of survival.

Whatever happens, the young man who walked away weeks ago is not the one standing there now.

And Summer Bay will be watching every decision he makes.