Listener 4401

[saladdodger]

Stuck on one:

Powder without using make-up to start with -- likely to make one pale (4) ...crossing letters won't help as on entering clues change...

[Mamyalynne]

Talc -(U M)

[saladdodger]

had that first but doesn't fit with the crossers...

[Mamyalynne]

Oh sorry, seems to work.

Talcum minus - UM - Using make-up initial letters.

[saladdodger]

answer is entered in the grid by "literal spelling"

[Mamyalynne]

Sorry not to have been any help.

[saladdodger]

Thanks for trying - i thought talc immediately too (exactly as you parsed) but now it doesn't fit with the others round it ... so a rethink is needed...

[dannyk13]

Sodium? Barium?

[Spoffy]

EMERY - M = EERY?

[Mamyalynne]

Seems there are only 3 spaces on the grid for this one.

I don't do messed about with puzzles - beyond me I'm afraid.

[saladdodger]

yes - that's it Spoffy - many thanks!

[Spoffy]

My pleasure!