Crossword Genius

Old boy's story involves Conservative block (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

obstacle

'block' is the definition.
(an obstacle is a block or blockage)

'old boy's story involves conservative' is the wordplay.
'old boy's' becomes 'obs' (abbreviation for a private school 'old boy').
'story' becomes 'tale' (synonyms).
'involves' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'tale' enclosing 'c' is 'tacle'.
'obs'+'tacle'='OBSTACLE'

(Other definitions for obstacle that I've seen before include "Hurdle, impediment" , "It obstructs or hinders" , "hold-up" , "difficulty" , "Maybe let" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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