Crossword Genius

Former housekeeper's friendly conversation with girl (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chatelaine

'former housekeeper's' is the definition.
(historical term for a housekeeper)

'friendly conversation with girl' is the wordplay.
'friendly conversation' becomes 'chat' (a chat is a friendly or casual conversation).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'girl' becomes 'Elaine' (girl's name).
'chat'+'elaine'='CHATELAINE'

(Other definitions for chatelaine that I've seen before include "As keyholder" , "Woman running a household" , "formerly the mistress of a castle" , "Castle keeper" , "Lady of the house" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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