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Still struggling with last two from Saturday's puzzle.
15a. "Piece of chalk for a pupil, a destroyer" (6). I've got -L-A-- and can only see alkala, the chemical powder, but may be on entirely wrong track

Also, 17d "Fixer at first turning up next to 18 down"(7). I've got --A-I-N and 18d, plus if alkala is right the first letter could be a; but then I can only get "alation" ??
Think I'm up the wrong tree so any help welcomed

A L ( a learner - pupil) + Kali (Hindu Goddess of destruction - a destroyer ) - alkali- piece of chalk?

17d Italian ....NAIL AT I (first) turning up

Long shot - would Italian fit with 18 down? (Don't have crossword) Fixer at (nail at) turning up ta lian, first (one- I) gives Italian?

Thanks, Tony. Not such a long shot then.....

Thanks very much ab and Tony; all makes sense now

I wasn't very happy with ALKALI for chalk (it isn't one, as it's insoluble in water), but the parsing is certainly right.