Sleep with assistant showing hide that's softened (5)

I believe the answer is:

nappa

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'hide that's softened' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'sleep with assistant' is the wordplay.
'sleep' becomes 'nap' (a nap is a short sleep).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'assistant' becomes 'PA' (personal assistant).
'nap'+'pa'='NAPPA'

'showing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nappa that I've seen before include "leather" , "Sort of kid, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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