Crossword Genius

Preserve predicament, following rude noise (9-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

raspberry-jam

'preserve' is the definition.
(I know that raspberry jam is a type of marmalade)

'predicament following rude noise' is the wordplay.
'predicament' becomes 'jam' (jam can mean a tricky situation).
'following' says to put letters next to each other.
'rude noise' becomes 'raspberry'.
'jam' after 'raspberry' is 'RASPBERRY-JAM'.

(Other definitions for raspberry-jam that I've seen before include "Preserve with small pips" , "Red preserve" , "Conserve" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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