Crossword Genius

Happy to lose borders contract (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lease

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'contract' is the definition.
(I know that lease is a type of contract)

'happy to lose borders' is the wordplay.
'happy' becomes 'ease' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'borders' says to take the initial letters (I've seen 'border' mean this).
The first letter of 'lose' is 'l'.
'ease' after 'l' is 'LEASE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lease that I've seen before include "Tenancy agreement" , "Contract of tenure" , "Hire out, rent" , "Charter" , "Let out, hire" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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