This is an alternative to returning to her (5)
I believe the answer is:
other
'this is an alternative' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.
'returning to her' is the wordplay.
'returning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'to' written backwards gives 'ot'.
'ot'+'her'='OTHER'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for other that I've seen before include "not like you" , "Alternative - unrelated" , "Very unusual" , "Not the one mentioned" , "Different, alternative" .)