Times 24634

[panofsky]

Stuck on these:
6d Excuse me: what comes before that in quiet message? (7)
8d Fish to lift out of one's trap (4)
Also, would appreciate explanation to
20d Hot meal goes in seconds: gracious! (6) - steamy?
and 24d Head on arm, bottom in the air (5) - aloft?

[panofsky]

6d letters I have are: p-e-e-t
8d r-y-

[geo0939]

Pretext

[JMR27]

8d rays - (sounds like raise when spoken/out of ones trap)

[panofsky]

Thanks geo0939 and JMR27.

[JMR27]

20d yes, steamy - tea (meal) inside s (seconds) + My! (gracious!)

what letters do you have in place for 24d?

[JMR27]

24d afoot - a(rm) + foot (bottom)

[panofsky]

Many thanks, JMR27.