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I have a lot of catching up to do at the moment due to a recent trip abroad. But I did manage to finish last Saturday's Times puzzle at one sitting last night. Only thing that's perplexing me is the clue "Partner's improvement after refreshments and pep talk", the answer to which I presume is "better half". I'm obviously missing
something here but I didn't fully see this one - can some kind soul please point out how the clue and solution tie in?

Hi Paul.

I think ...

Partner = 'better half'.
improvement = 'better'.
refreshments and pep talk = what may happen at 'half'-time during a sports match.

JimC

Hi again.

Alternatively, but in a similar vein, ...

Partner = 'better half'.
improvement after refreshments and pep talk = 'better half' = what may happen in the second part of a sports match.

JimC

Many thanks, JimC - appreciate what you've said, only sometimes a clue does get a bit stretched!