It doesn't really say that though, does it? It says that 18m is repayable, not that the rest of the 129m isn't, unless I'm reading that wrong?
Also, from what I've read in the past (might be wrong), the debt is not actually non-interest bearing. Ashley has so far decided not to charge interest he is contractually entitled to, but he could if/when he wanted, even retrospectively. And even if he couldn't, there is nothing stopping him taking the profits out as dividend if he so desired, is there?
I want to believe you are right in being optimistic, but there is very little evidence that a change in approach for the better is upcoming, and plenty of evidence pointing to the contrary. Anyway, I'll believe it when I see it.