Styck with last 2 clues, they are linked
44a most careful, most on guard 7 ltrs
?a???s?
37d skilled, talented 6 ltrs
???t?d
and what do people think answer to 16a is
a doodle, 4 ltrs. Eas? I out easy, or should it be ease. I woukd have said, a dawdle, not doodle