Crossword Genius

Bill could be one in river astride swans (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

expense

'bill could be one' is the definition.
(a bill or invoice is a type of expense)

'river astride swans' is the wordplay.
'river' becomes 'exe' (River Exe).
'astride' indicates putting letters inside.
'swans' becomes 'pens' (pen is a kind of swan).
'exe' going around 'pens' is 'EXPENSE'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for expense that I've seen before include "Disbursal" , "damage" , "What something costs" , "Incurred cost" , "Cost - price" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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