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Thank you very much, Greengage. I think a bit of garden work is called for. It might clear my brain before I have another go at filling in !

Thank you also, Unowned.

Unowned, have got the work, wd be grateful for a hint to the 4-letter word....

greengage - the 4 letter word is incongruous, changing it restores the situation as experienced.

Greengage, look at post 39, and also consider how the remark on the position of the 8 letter word (of which the 4 letter word will make part) might be interpreted. The 4 letter word is in plain view and once you see the solution you’ll know it’s right.

Thanks drxx, unowned, a task for tomorrow. Curry now!

If anyone's still out there, I'd really appreciate hints for 16,18 & 19

16 - term for a particular phase of an opera, not an act, unclued letters involved
18 - Definition is benefit, unclued letter in clue
19 - Definition is constituent of an oil, unclued letter in clue, think latin for well (done) to start with

16 an anagram using either of the two trios of letters in 'cancan' - the clue omits 2 letters of the answer.

18 one S is not clued - the 'exclusive group' is the usual 3 letter word.

19 'Main part of an oil' is the def. - 'well' is an obscure interjection from Greek meaning 'well done!' - + NO + L(eak).

sorry - the 'captcha' caught me out.