No need to apologise, mrs T - I read what I had written and wasn't sure if I understood it!
Yes, the rules (largely devised by rambler) are intended to allow everyone to have a go, rather than being hogged by the rapid solvers - which you certainly seem to be. So it's wait until an "open". The open then in effect, applies to subsequent clues, until you gain the baton again, then back to waiting!