[Gallowsraven]

I'm sorry, i've kept this in about as long as i can stand it and i've had enough.

Some people on here (mainly those in the Pagan Inn) know that i've recently had a little trouble with an ex-employer. Not really an employer actually; i volunteered to help out in my "friend's" shop because he couldn't afford to actually hire someone and i needed the experience.

Everything went fine, until he started treating me like i was three, bad-mouthing me behind my back, groping my boyfriend behind my back (luckily my sweetheart didn't stand for it and made sure he was never alone with the creep again) and generally being a comeplete . . . i don't think i'm allowed to say that word. Sorry. I'll settle for creep.

I finally had enough when he asked me to work all day Sunday (this was a month ago now) after i had just spent the last seven days working all day in his shop for him alone while he swanned off to France, as well as breaking a promise he had made to me the previous week.

I walked. As a volunteer i wasn't required to inform him of my desire to leave, though i had already warned him numerous times that if his behaviour towards me didn't improve i would walk. There is only so much a girl can take.

I did this in a calm, respectable manner. I was polite and did not cause a scene, even though there were no customers to witness a scene. He said nothing.

Not five minutes after i left the store i get a text through from friends asking why i'm so upset? Did i really scream at him? Why was i so rude? This continued all day. For several days. I couldn't work out what was going on until another friend told me what he was saying. To everyone, friends and customers alike.

I didn't confront him over it; at the time it wasn't that bad. I wish now that i had, as it's gotten worse. It's no longer just lying, he's now slandering me to anyone he thinks cares to listen. But first i have to explain one thing:

His shop is now closing down, as he hasn't gotten enough custom within the last month or so to be able to afford continuing.

He claims that i stole momey from the till. I honestly have not taken a single penny, not one! Not unless he said i could and that was for bus fare or when we were getting food for lunch, and the change from the lunch-run was always put back! I know that i shouldn't stress, because i know the truth, but i just can't take it anymore!

We're going to give him a solicitor's warning that any further slander will result in court action being taken against him (we do have witnesses, both of whom have seen me replace the money after buying the lunch) but we can only do that if these people will agree to stand up and say it.

I have been polite throughout all of this; whenever someone asks i just say it was a disagreement and refuse to elaborate. What have i done to deserve this from a supposed friend?!

I just can't take it anymore. Can someone at least reassure me that i'm not gonna run into this all my gods-damned life?! Do i really have a sign painted on my back that says "TARGET"? I know the world isn't full of hypocritical _______, but my stress levels have sky-rocketed and my confidence is nearly shot!

He puts on this image of being all nice and generous but he's not; he's hypocritical, arrogant, patronising, two-faced, and just plain horrible.

I just at least need someone to talk to who isn't connected to all this. I'm at my wits' end and i'm so tired of this silly game he's playing. Why can't he just grow up?