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And immediately after writing my post I worked out my mistake. Got it now.
Good puzzle overall. Agreed it contained a good deal of humour this week.

Am I too late to ask for help? My Observer is in quarantine until today and I have read through all your remarks but no help with the ones I havent got yet. You all seem to enjoy 18 a but I've tried an anagram of apricot lover and a synonym for unlikely and no joy. i haven't got 16 or 17 d either so if anyone picks up this cry for help, a tip or two would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Evening, Olderwoman. It's always good to give the clues - some of us would love to help but don't have a copy of the puzzle.

Hi Olderwoman (Mrs Robinson?)

18a is indeed an anagram - try this site:-

https://anagram-solver.net/

16d definition is "excuses" and is E(uropean) + 9 letter word for "attacks" minus "IN" from the clue.

17d another anagram - look very carefully at the end of the clue...

Hi Malone,

18a Unlikely apricot-lover? (12)

16d Excuses given by European missing in attack (8)

17d Spies ill prepared... (8)

Thanks, Brendan. I looked the clues up online, but your hints had appeared by the time I'd done that.

Having trouble with two of the clues and would appreciate some help please!

13A. We're told alternatively a conservative has debts or works. Oratories. I'm assuming 'we're told' is the definition Or (alternatively) followed by conservative (tories) but can't fit in 'has debts or works'. Where have I gone wrong?

17D. Spies ill prepared. Ellipses. Presumably ellipses (anagram) of spies ill but shouldn't there also be a definition?

Many thanks.

Hi Kitabu,

13a the definition is "works" and most of the whole clue is a series of homophones:-

"alternatively" = OR + A TORI (conservative) + OS has debts/owes

17d. the definition is the the three dots at the end of the clue - an "ellipsis"

Many thanks Brendan - that's put me out of my misery! By the way may I say how much I enjoy your weekly appraisals of the Everyman crossword - always an illuminating read.

Thanks very much Kitabu, much appreciated:-)