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Some quite tricky clues, I thought, for the Spectator puzzle. Took me a bit of time to realise that the highlighted word, if added, would make the three triplets into legitimate quads.

I agree. All the better for it.

I have completed just about all the grid but can't see the hidden theme word (and therefore the connection with the unclued lights) for the life of me. Am I barking up the wrong tree in thinking it's a three-letter word in the fifth row? If I'm right I fail to make the connection with all unclued lights.

No it’s not 3 letters.

It’s a word that can be added to make each group of 3 a group of 4.

The one it is most obviously connnected to I suppose are the parts of the eye.


It’s across in a row.

I only have 1A left with A_U_ Please help me.

i mean 9A

From memory, I think it's a + qua(d).

thank you. I thought that was the only word that fits . But why does aqua = shade?

Shade as in colour. Aqua is a light bluey green.

The clue was A court's brief shade - A Qua(d) is a court, brief because it's cut short. Aqua = shade, colour.