Упражнения: My friends

It's June. The lockdown is over but not everyone has survived. Some people have lost their loved ones and everyone is still numbed by this. It was a shock to humanity and at the same time, it had been a time for reconsideration. So what has changed and what remains the same? What are some new priorities and what are our new values in life? People are still processing this new reality and are trying to get their lives back on track.

The gang is now back at Time for Coffee, as usual, or perhaps not? Much is still the same, but much more has changed. Many businesses have closed down and a number of people are now unemployed or are paid much less. There has been a rise in the number of people who work part-time, while digital industries are thriving. Seeing small businesses and shops putting up their shutters is disheartening, to say the least. Take, for instance, the gang's favourite café. Time for coffee is actually closing down in 2 weeks, along with many other businesses in town.

Sophie, Sardana, and Kate meet at their favourite café and share updates on their lives. Sardana says she's relieved that she finally feels better. With all her friends pitching in, she has now fully recovered. But Sophie wants her to be much more careful in the future. Kate says that she's happy she gave Max another chance. Things seem to be evolving well between the two and she's now head over heels. Sophie says she always had a feeling that they would finally end up together. Sardana thought that it was actually a long shot, but now she says that eventually, people can indeed change.

The girls are now feeling melancholic. They are really sad that their café is closing. Sophie, being feistier than ever, asks them what they can do to lighten the mood. Kate wonders if there's anything they can actually do. Sardana is sceptical and not sure whether or not they should get involved. Sophie tells them it is time they acted on things, even if they are not sure how it will unravel. Rather than just stand by and watch their café close, they should do something about it. The girls have set some savings aside, so she proposes that they rent out the place.

Kate is excited at this prospect but has no idea what they can do with it. Sardana tells them that the best thing to do is to turn it into something new and hip, making it a trend of some sort. She proposes that they renovate it and turn it into a co-working space. Kate agrees on the premise that this space will serve matcha tea and that there will be a range of eco-materials to use. Sophie is all in and Sardana is thrilled. Sophie tells them that she can even advertise it on her travel blog and that means that the place is more likely to become a trend. Kate says that she and George can use it for some of their upcoming marathons, and Max is known for his architectural passion, so he can definitely help with the space planning.

So, they decide to go ahead with it.