Female friend returned in a panic (4)
I believe the answer is:
flap
'a panic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'female friend returned' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend).
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'pal' backwards is 'lap'.
'f'+'lap'='FLAP'
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for flap that I've seen before include "Panic; fold" , "Excitement" , "Minor panic; tab" , "Adjustable part of wing - panic" , "Use wings; be agitated" .)