Crossword Genius

Returned to the little house over the sea (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

homed

'returned' is the definition.
(homing is a kind of returning)

'the little house over the sea' is the wordplay.
'the little' says to take the initial letters.
'the sea' becomes 'med' (short for Mediterranean).
The initial letters of 'house over' is 'ho'.
'ho'+'med'='HOMED'

'to' is the link.

(Another definition for homed that I've seen is " Provided with permanent accommodation".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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