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Fair enough, that’s probably a better interpretation.

I hope this question is allowable, and that someone can answer it:
If a line is said to "join" two (or more?) words, does it mean that it connects the last letter of one to the first letter of another, or that it joins all first letters, or that it runs between any points on the lines so joined?

That should have read ".....words so joined"

Thanks candledave and drxx. That's pushed me along.

I think last to first for the areas you're looking at.

Not as far forward as some; but now at a standstill.

I Ignored the 'line' clues and concentrated on constructing the 'Original' grid; have cold-solved all 'Originals' except two - the unauthorised bus occupants, and Malibu, which in spite of knowing their initial letters, have me baffled - hints appreciated.

This has enabled me to fill about 72% of the grid, albeit with some worrying single-cell clashes that appear to be unavoidable, but aren't mentioned in the preamble or in this Forum so far. More worryingly, some of my confident solves don't appear to fit anywhere. Should there be clashes to resolve in the Original grid, or am I completely astray?

I'm also seeing some apparent partial words emerging in the 'empty' original lights, including an obvious mollusc, but these may be red herrings.

I'd better concentrate now on solving the 'line' clues to see if they bring any enlightenment - the preamble seems to promise a game of topological 3D chess, which may be enjoyable , maybe not.

I have a full grid other than a single unchecked cell and solved all the clues other than that pesky first clue. Are the two connected in any way?

Quixote, There are no clashes in the completed grid, well in mine there aren't. Solving the 'line' clues will help you considerably.

As for the unauthorised bus occupants, I am baffled by the first 4 letters of the answer, but the last 3 have a very common cryptic identifier in the clue.

For the Malibu clue, Chambers word wizard will give the English spelling of the answer as Americans can't always spell correctly.

The first four letters are a word for an unauthorised bus without its outer letters

Thanks Candledave, that eases my mind.