Spectator 2504

[ladyalex]

Can anyone help me with 2d, please ?
Twelve going to Spain? Twelve fewer, actually (5)

I have NOON?

Thanks

:-))

[cashier]

No one

[ladyalex]

Thanks cashier.

I wondered about that but it definitely shows as (5) and all the other times it is more than one word it mentions it.

How does it parse, please ? I can see 12 =noon and Spain =
But what about the 'fewer' bit ?

[ladyalex]

Spain =e

[ProfessorMaisie]

I think taking 12 (= 12 'noon') from 12 = nothing/'no-one', giving a definition of sorts.

[ladyalex]

Thanks, Professor Maisie.

I think that must be the solution .
The only alternative would be NOONS which doesn't fit anything other than there being 2 twelves =noons
:-))

[ProfessorMaisie]

I think it's an &lit, ladyalex - the whole thing being the definition, including the wordplay -

12 (people) going to Spain? Twelve (people) fewer, actually

...would leave 'no-one'.

[ladyalex]

That sounds right.....I think it should have shown it as 2 words, though, or as hyphenated.

Thank you

:-))

[ProfessorMaisie]

Yes, I think you're right about the hyphens. Spectator clues often refer to them but perhaps that's just when they're unclued entries (I'm not sure).