Like Cinders, initially awkward and reticent? (4)
I believe the answer is:
ashy
'like cinders' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'initially awkward and reticent?' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'reticent?' becomes 'shy' (both can mean withdrawn or timid).
The initial letter of 'awkward' is 'a'.
'a'+'shy'='ASHY'
(Other definitions for ashy that I've seen before include "Wan" , "Light grey" , "resembling cinder track?" , "Like burnt wood or coal" , "What could tray be" .)