In the first couple of weeks following Mali’s unexpected absence, Lacey quickly came to the painful realisation that the shop, which she had once thought of as stable and manageable, was already running at a loss. The daily takings were consistently lower than expected, and the bills, wages, and supplier invoices kept piling up on her desk, leaving her with an ever-growing sense of anxiety. She spent long evenings going through the accounts, hoping that she might have miscalculated somewhere, but every figure confirmed the same disheartening truth: the business was struggling without Mali’s presence and guidance.

At first, Lacey tried to manage everything on her own, convincing herself that Mali would not be away for long and that all she needed to do was hold things together for a short period. She worked extra hours behind the counter, did stock checks late at night, and even attempted to negotiate with suppliers for more lenient terms. But exhaustion soon set in, and she realised that the pressure was too much for her to shoulder by herself.

It was at this low point that Abigail, portrayed by Hailey Pinto, stepped forward with an offer to help. Abigail had always been someone Lacey could rely on in small matters, but this time her support felt far more significant. She volunteered not only to help with the day-to-day running of the shop but also to keep an eye on the bigger picture, ensuring that the business would not collapse before Mali returned. Lacey was hesitant at first, worried that admitting she needed help might be seen as weakness, yet Abigail’s calm confidence reassured her that it was the right decision.

Together, the two women began to organise a system. Abigail took responsibility for overseeing staff shifts, making sure there was always enough coverage at busy hours, while Lacey concentrated on customer service and financial oversight. They held brief meetings every morning before opening the doors, talking through the challenges of the day ahead and dividing up the tasks. It wasn’t an ideal arrangement—both of them knew they were only patching holes in a sinking ship—but at least they were no longer facing the storm alone.

In the evenings, after closing time, they often sat together in the empty shop, lights dimmed, sharing cups of tea and talking about Mali. They worried about how long he would be gone, how he would react when he discovered the state of the finances, and whether their efforts would be enough to keep everything afloat until his return. Despite the uncertainty, those quiet conversations forged a sense of solidarity between them.

Although the situation remained bleak, with debts mounting and customers sometimes slipping away to competitors, the partnership between Lacey and Abigail gave both of them renewed determination. They reminded each other constantly that the shop was more than just a business—it was a place built with passion and hard work, something worth fighting for. By leaning on one another, they nurtured the fragile hope that, no matter how severe the storm seemed now, they might still be able to weather it until Mali came back to take the reins again.