Taking small steps, leaves a distance between each one (6)

I believe the answer is:

spaces

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'a distance between each one' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'taking small steps' is the wordplay.
'taking small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size. I am not sure about the 'taking' bit.).
'steps' becomes 'paces ' (pace is a kind of step).
's'+'paces'='SPACES'

'leaves' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spaces that I've seen before include "distances" , "boxes" , "Empty areas" , "Blank areas" , "Open areas" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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