Crossword Genius

Short time with Salvation Army in charge of decorative item maybe (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mosaic

'decorative item maybe' is the definition.
(a mosaic might decorate something)

'short time with salvation army in charge' is the wordplay.
'short time' becomes 'mo' (as in 'just a mo').
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'salvation army' becomes 'SA' (abbreviation).
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
'mo'+'sa'+'ic'='MOSAIC'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for mosaic that I've seen before include "Pattern made with tiny pieces of stone or glass" , "piece of artwork" , "It is pieced together" , "Decorative work of small hard pieces" , "from one of the prophets" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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