How do I solve 19 across in Times Cryptic 29540?

Question

Accepted Answer

19 across reads "Only a handful I’m relieved to hear?" (3 letters); the answer is FEW. It's a homophone clue: the answer sounds like another word. Indicators like 'reportedly', 'we hear', or 'sounds like' point to a word that's pronounced similarly to the answer. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

Only a handful I’m relieved to hear? (3)

19A — Only a handful I’m relieved to hear? (3) — FEW