St 4813

[terryfish]

26a direction one could take being bust post brexit (4) E-S-

This looks like EAST, but I can't parse the clue!

Many thanks

[Lie-in King]

(Br)East - bust, post 'Br'-exit

[Neveracrossword]

Breast - Bust, remove Br (Br exit) and you have East

[terryfish]

Doohhhh

Many thanks

[MartianAlien]

17ac Perhaps one's intended caretaker (6)
Is it KEEPER? Not convinced.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes a double meaning, a keeper is someone you like.

[Neveracrossword]

Yes to Keeper - not a good clue! Is he a keeper? is what girls are supposed to ask each other, and it's also a caretaker, of course.

[MartianAlien]

Thank you.
But how does it feature in 4dn?
17 perhaps tucking in to finish up French soups (7)
I have assumed 4dn is POTAGES - AGE in STOP reversed.
David McLean has given us a superb challenge this week.

[Neveracrossword]

Maybe a trick/ruse - 17 just being an Age, as in the answer?

[Toorak]

17 could be someone’s age

[MartianAlien]

Not convinced.
Rather arbitrary. Not one of the better clues.