Am I going to poison everyone?

[BeforetheFlood]

Mil usually brings a roast ham for Christmas eve, but as there will be no Mil and no ham this year I decided to to one myself. I know she always soaks it before cooking so without thinking much about it I set about doing that yesterday about lunchtime, intending to boil and roast it today.

I woke up in a mad rush of panic this morning realising it's been sitting in a pan of water on the cooker top for about 18 hours. I changed the water a couple of times yesterday and used fresh cold water, but even so - that's a long time to be out of the fridge, isn't it? The use by date was the 26th, so it was getting to the end of its freshness anyway. Are going to be having roast ham with a side of botulism for tea tonight? Do I abandon the mission and join the queue outside M&S for an alternative meal idea?

It will be absolutely fine. It's cured.

I just googled this. Think you’ll be ok

Of note, when I brine a turkey, I leave it in a large pot of the water and brining solution, covered, in my garage over night where it’s always cool. Never on top of hob in case you cook using the other rings, gets warm.

Thanks so much for the reassurance! (And for saving me a trip to M&S before I've had a shower - the other shoppers thank you too.)

I think this is just the latest outlet for general anxiety, which is mounting due to a variety of factors, so I'm grateful for some calm common sense.