I agree, a very clever clue, Chris.
I finished the crossword (all bar one ) quickly, then was stuck on the last short clue for ages before I realized my stupid mistake.
Yes, a good clue , Chris!
I often wonder when people say they have "finished", whether or not they have parsed the answers....I cannot rest until I have done that.......
I still one left to parse in today's Everyman!
Very frustrating!
s for singular I have seen quite often, Chris, and it's in Chambers.
My mistake was putting a word for "acts" as the answer, which of course was wrong ! I was in too much of a hurry.