to not want to tell anyone I've been fired?

[ahbollocks]

I know I am really :(
Just so embarrassed and humiliated.
This job was a bit of dream job for me, in a prestigious small business thats well known in my industry.
Was hired on the spot by the owner, once I joined I found out a lady who does similar work to me for them was on maternity, and she returned a couple of months ago. Ive been there a year.
Really really fucking stupidly I nevsr signed a contract, rarely saw the business owner and my payments were made direct to me from clients and I then paid half over to the owner.
Anyway, she FACEBOOK messaged me last night (privately) and said sorry, im lovely, talented but its time to go our separate ways and to drop my keys off today.
Its totally out of the blue and I havent even told Dh or even my best friend.
We have a 3 yo dd :(
Jobs are so hard to come by in my area and I dont have enough capital to go alone.
Just totally gutted and so angry with business owner for firing me in such a careless way. I genuinely thought we had a good relationship and I always got along well with everyone at the office.
Fuck sake.

Have a look at ACAS.org.UK. They also have a free website.

The CAB has employment info on their website - adviceguide.org.UK

Apologies for typos - silly phone!

kwerty I worked in Croydon. They had taken on extra staff for Christmas and were culling them at the end of the last Saturday before Christmas. I took the lift to the stockroom instead of the stairs and saw one of the managers watching me. I think they were looking for slip ups like this to decide who stayed and who went. My sister was sacked as well.

If you're embarrassed don't tell anyone. Say you walked out

I'm a tax accountant. It sounds to me like you were acting as self employed and you weren't completely aware of it. The arrangements do sound a bit dodgy. I advise speaking to your former "employer" firstly, then reading up on hmrc website about what you need to do, and then either dealing with it yourself, or probably better to go to an accountancy practice and get them to help you sort this out. Hmrc will absolutely let you spread anything you owe, and you may not be behind anyway, depending on the dates you have worked. And yes we used to get clients come in with bin bags full of several years worth of receipts so they are used to this kind of problem. The more work, the higher the bill!

I second what others have said, this could be a fabulous opportunity for you to set up on your own. You have the clients and the experience and now you don't need to give half the money away. You can either charge the same, or slightly less as you're still making more money! Yes you will need equipment etc, but you can get a loan/interest free credit/hire what you need.

You should also have a reference and a portfolio of work if you want to look for a new job, and nothing to stop you having an employed job and also doing your own work as self employed on the side. Perfectly legal as long as you pay your tax.