I am punctual, initially unafraid but unprepared (9)

I believe the answer is:

impromptu

'unprepared' is the definition.
(impromptu means improvised or unprepared)

'i am punctual initially unafraid' is the wordplay.
'i am' becomes 'I'm' (contraction).
'punctual' becomes 'prompt' (similar in meaning).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'unafraid' is 'u'.
'im'+'prompt'+'u'='IMPROMPTU'

'but' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for impromptu that I've seen before include "Unprepared" , "Spontaneously, off the cuff" , "On the spur of the moment" , "Piano piece" , "Offhand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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