Crossword Genius

Longed to be a good boy (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pined

'longed' is the definition.
('pine' can be a synonym of 'long')

'a good boy' is the wordplay.
'a good' becomes 'pi' (I've seen this in other clues).
'boy' becomes 'ned' (**).
'pi'+'ned'='PINED'

'to be' is the link.

(Other definitions for pined that I've seen before include "Became ill with longing" , "Longed; wasted (away)" , "Languished, yearned" , "Starved" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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