Crossword Genius

Final messages needing money spent by Somerset city (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

farewells

'final messages' is the definition.
(messages said before leaving)

'money spent by somerset city' is the wordplay.
'money spent' becomes 'fare' (eg a train fare).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'somerset city' becomes 'wells' (Wells is a city in Somerset).
'fare'+'wells'='FAREWELLS'

'needing' is the link.

(Other definitions for farewells that I've seen before include "They may be fond" , "spoken last words" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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