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The 'ready' is the first two and last two letters of the answer (ready outside) - A(re) and B(ritish) are put inside to form the 'fortress' .

Sorry, that should have been - the 'ready' is the first three and the last letter in of the answer, with..... B and A inside....

Of course! Many thanks Malone.

You're welcome, Bubber. Glad my rather muddled answers provided enough of an explanation!

No, it was spot on. Think it was the singular ready that threw me. Can’t remember seeing that before. (Incidentally reading my earlier post I think it was unfair of me to call this particular puzzle frustrating. Let’s face it they all frustrate at times!)