Appalling to have friend (3)
I believe the answer is:
pal
'friend' is the definition.
(pal can mean a friend)
'appalling to have' is the wordplay.
'to have' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'PAL' can be found hidden inside 'appalling'.
(Other definitions for pal that I've seen before include "Mate, buddy" , "Buddy, chum" , "China" , "Bud" , "Close friend" .)