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eXternal is usually pretty tricky, but this one is straightforward enough (but highly satisfying) until the very last step. I have the 3,2,7 phrase but can't see any relevance. Has anyone got a clue to that last step?

If you have completed everything then google the letters providing the quarry. The story will show you what to change from the choice that was made.

My complaint is that the letters should be read left to right, top to bottom, and not as in the preamble. This caused me some confusion at first!

My! I'm just off for a ... light lunch. Another new word learnt. Thanks.

I take my hat off to you both for finding this straightforward. I'm struggling with the bottom left corner. Any hints for, eg, 39a - "Sole on foot with tender feeling (6)" would be appreciated.

Also, it would seem 6a ends with an R and yet 9d starts with a C but the preamble does not mention clashes. I'm confused!

39. 'Sole' isn't referring to a fish. The definition is 'with tender feeling'.

9 D. Doesn't start with a C, my answer has an R.

Orson, I almost missed the misprint in 9 D - I originally made the same mistake as you, and came up with the C answer.

Thanks, malone. For 9d I interpreted it as:

stress = care
beginning to ebb = e
the letter omitted from wordplay = r
so overall job = career

The misprint is in Job.

I am out now but I am pretty sure my 9D was:
Stress = rack
Beginning of ebb = e
Missing letter = t
Job = racket