Independent cryptic 8034

[Ripper]

Hi
Please can anyone help me with 7 down A word of the clue is unreadable, but what is left says: Finish off p??????nt couple (4) _O_E
Also 26 across Very negligent by leaving female alone (like 4) (4) S_L_ I'm assuming it's solo but don't get the wordplay, especially the (like 4)
and 13 down: Why soldiers initially escaped round other side (like 16) (5) E_E_Y again I think it's enemy, but don't understand the wordplay especially the (like 16)
Any help would be great
Thanks in advance.

[JDavis]

7 dn should read: Finish off peasant couple

[Ripper]

Thank you JDavis
Now, just got to confirm the other two clues!

[doctordolittle]

I don't understand the references either but
Initially escaped is e
Why soldiers is y men
Round the other side swaps the e and y round
I am stuck on 10 a 26 a and 5 d. Any help appreciated

[ulysses100]

10a Li m a<
5d te stic(k) le

I do not understand the references either, and I can't deduce 15a Saying goodbye, retiring tenor accepted as brilliant in Peckham (6) C?S?T?

[doctordolittle]

Saying good bye is c u (see you)
Retiring is shy
Tenor is t
Cushty!!
Why is it Lima?

[doctordolittle]

Any idea about 16 d hospital matron's cape (like 10)

[golfinggran]

Have you got any answers at the bottom of the crossword? Try reading across the bottom and work out what could go across the top, which will help explain "like 16" etc. Also the clue about the ceilidh will help. If you need more info let me know.

[Splod]

16d could be 'talma' (concealed in clue), a kind of cape.

[Pescador]

Re: Splod. Agree 'talma'.
I too cannot work out the significance of "(like ...)", although I've finished apart from 26a, which I'm thinking could be either SOLE or SOLO, but don't get the wordplay yet. Was also greatly helped completing top half by spotting the nina at the bottom fairly early on.

[alidoc]

Re solo could this be so low without woman, I'm having a lot of problems with this xword, can't seem to get the ties

[ulysses100]

Thank you doctordolittle for the explanation for cushty

[golfinggran]

26a is SOLA which means alone. The eight "like" answers are anagrams of countries ie SOLA becomes Laos. Clue 17a eightsome reel is another hint. Hope this helps.