Crossword Genius

Cheerful male carries single black suitcase (9,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gladstone bag

'suitcase' is the definition.
(Gladstone bag is an example)

'cheerful male carries single black' is the wordplay.
'cheerful' becomes 'glad' ('glad' can be similar in meaning to 'cheerful').
'male' becomes 'stbag'.
'carries' indicates putting letters inside.
'single black' becomes 'one' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'stbag' going around 'one' is 'stonebag'.
'glad'+'stonebag'='GLADSTONE BAG'

(Other definitions for gladstone bag that I've seen before include "case" , "hand luggage" , "Briefcase-like container" , "Small portmanteau" , "Large old portmanteau" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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