Pesky clue that left me feeling so cross

I like to finish the crossword Before the day is done, Just a little challenge I set myself — It doesn’t harm anyone. The other day, when was it? A week ago last Monday, I was properly steaming through it. Some days are like that, aren’t they? By the time I got to 13 down I had a good feeling inside, Expecting an easy coup de grace; I was smugness personified. But 13 down had other ideas It scuppered my attacks. It faced me down, dug in its heels, Stopped me in my tracks. Every other clue rolled over And let me tickle its tummy. But 13 down defied me And made me look a right dummy. It was only 11 letters With a ‘p’, a ‘t’ and an ‘e’.

‘Stroke of luck heals needy spirit,’ How hard could that be? I’d get it with the crossword solver In 20 seconds flat, But you’re only cheating yourself, aren’t you, And what’s the point of that? It was one of those tip-of-thetongue jobs Of the most annoying kind,

I could smell it, I could taste it, But couldn’t bring it to mind. All day long I wrestled with it, But I just couldn’t put it to bed. In the end I just gave up And went for a walk instead. I wandered through the country, I wandered through the town, But I didn’t get any closer To solving 13 down. I wandered round the back streets Of this vicinity, And many other places Unfamiliar to me. Then a strange thing happened That’s easy to dismiss, I had a fleeting feeling I can only describe as bliss. Then I turned the corner And straight in front of me A little second-hand bookshop Called Serendipity. G. Bell, Botley, Hants.