In the upcoming episodes of “Home and Away,” Mali faces a critical decision that could determine the future of his business. Upon returning home, he finds his board shop in disarray, a situation exacerbated by his choice to leave it in the hands of his inexperienced assistant, Lacy, while he traveled to Manta Egg Point to help his sister, Lana, with childcare.

Mali’s decision to hire Lacy quickly backfires when it becomes apparent that she lacks the necessary skills to manage the shop effectively, even struggling with basic customer service. In an attempt to cover for her shortcomings, Lacy enlists her boyfriend, Theo, to conduct surfing lessons for the students. Initially, Mali is unaware of this arrangement, but as he returns, he discovers that the shop is already operating at a loss.

To help stabilize the situation, Abigail steps in to assist Lacy while Mali is away. The two women hope they can navigate through the difficulties together. However, weeks later, their efforts yield little improvement. The situation worsens when Lacy learns that Theo has declined an opportunity to return to his job at the garage, choosing instead to commit to the board shop.

Despite knowing how much Theo wants to work at the garage, Lacy encourages Abigail to let him go, believing it’s in the best interest of the shop. With their primary source of income now lost and numerous customers demanding refunds, Abigail grows increasingly anxious about the future of the business. Mac advises her to be honest with Mali about the dire state of affairs. However, when Abigail receives a call from Theo, she realizes he is already on his way back to the bay.

As Mali returns to the farmhouse, he reconnects with Mac, Levi, and Abigail, all while feeling optimistic about his return. However, Abigail struggles to share the troubling news about the business. The next morning, Mali senses that something is off, and Abigail finally admits that she made the tough choice to let Theo go. She emphasizes the need to review the shop’s finances to understand their current standing.

Despite the challenges, Mali remains hopeful that they can turn things around. When he visits the shop, he discovers a multitude of issues: dissatisfied students, delayed board orders, and ongoing stock shortages. While Mali maintains his confidence, Abigail grows increasingly concerned about how he will manage shaping the backlog of orders while also teaching surfing lessons.

Abigail insists that the only way to salvage the business is to let Lacy go, as the shop requires someone who can teach surfing and handle daily operations effectively. Mali is torn; he feels uneasy about firing his newest employee, especially after she has tried to help in his absence. When Lacy arrives at the shop, Mali expresses gratitude for her efforts, but he cannot shake Abigail’s suggestion that she should be let go.

Seeing the tension between them, Lacy turns to Abigail, expressing how much she values her job, completely unaware of the discussions happening behind her back. As Mali wrestles with the decision, he realizes he hasn’t acted yet and is caught between the need to keep Lacy and the necessity of saving the shop.

Ultimately, Mali decides to call Lacy over and propose a plan: if she can learn to surf and take on the responsibility of running lessons while managing the shop, her position will be secure. This bold move puts Lacy in a challenging position—will she rise to the occasion and prove herself worthy of keeping her job, or will Mali’s decision lead the business into even deeper trouble?

As the stakes rise, viewers will be left questioning whether Mali can balance his loyalty to Lacy with the urgent need to restore the board shop’s success. The upcoming episodes promise to explore the complexities of business, friendship, and the tough calls that come with both. Can Mali save his business without sacrificing his relationships, or is he risking everything for a chance at redemption?

Stay tuned for more gripping developments in “Home and Away,” as Mali’s journey unfolds and the consequences of his choices become clearer. The emotional intensity and uncertainty surrounding his decision will keep fans on the edge of their seats, eager to see how this storyline will resolve.