Slight difficulties if Romeo cracks shellfish (8)
I believe the answer is:
wrinkles
'slight difficulties' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'romeo cracks shellfish' is the wordplay.
'romeo' becomes 'r' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'cracks' indicates putting letters inside (crack their way in).
'shellfish' becomes 'winkles'.
'r' inserted inside 'winkles' is 'WRINKLES'.
'if' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wrinkles that I've seen before include "Folds, creases" , "Folds in fabric or skin" , "Signs of ageing" , "Depressions in the smoothness of skin" .)