Long story short, my very best friend who I've known since childhood has just confided in me that his whole life has been a lie. He is in an abusive relationship (which I've sadly witnessed episodes of!) and his partner is none the wiser.
So my very best friend, let's call him S, has been telling everyone for years how he's an accountant, working freelance (is that the word? As in for himself). He's done a bit of work for his partner's family, although he assures me it is nothing your average joe couldn't do (ie. he's checked over calculations, given advice on how to save money, signposted them to other accountancy firms etc) so nothing illegal.
S's partner is a horrible man, he constantly bullies S for being 'camp' and belittles him, and I think this is where the lie started, ie. "I am worthy" type of lie. And it spiralled out of control to the point where he had to lie to everybody. I think he wanted his partner's approval, and wanted to feel like he was worth something.
S has now had enough - of the lies, and of the partner. He is currently on my sofa. He is devastated. He has told a few people the truth and they have ostracised him.
Call me crazy but the lies don't bother me, he's never done any work for me (all he's done is on one occasion, tell me my maths was all wrong and advised me to go to a certain debt charity,, which I did). I don't care what his job is and it changes nothing. I understand why he lied although I don't condone it.
Other people however are not so nice, and are saying they can never speak to him or trust him ever again as it's such a whopper of a lie. They are quite charmed by his partner, who has a very good job and is quite well-to-do.
AIBU to think we should be rallying around him?
He just wants to move on and rebuild his life having spent so long with this horrible man.