daily double

the hard way ACROSS

1 Billy’s mate - good with children? (5) 8 The fellow bit the baboon (8) 9 Book a strong man (5) 10 Company with deficit states huge figure (8) 11 She turned the tide getting a husband (5) 12 Satisfied to have made acquaintance (3) 16 Drawing room (6) 17 A test in the gold trade (6) 18 Keep out of the company of lawyers (3) 23 Small party in southern courtyard (5) 24 They don’t own the van so it turns out (4-4) 25 There’s something hidden here - sounds like money (5) 26 Not all on this page? (8) 27 The French social worker is so inclined (5)

DOWN

2 Change of diet not a remedy (8) 3 Need one tap repaired when the flow is minimal (4,4) 4 Coax little Josephine into ruffled lace (6) 5 Nothing unusual said about indicating farewell (5) 6 Fur-clad Soviet leader in Russian city (5) 7 Soft and luxuriant pile fabric (5) 12 A bad lot? (3) 13 A high point in the trajectory (3) 14 Nowadays treat it as comparable with plenty (8) 15 A battle - between long-distance runners (8) 19 Girl in articles? (6) 20 Agree to strike? (5) 21 Each cigarette end needs a light (5) 22 Loner made to become a member of society (5)

the easy way ACROSS

1 Incline (5) 8 In disorder (4-4) 9 Animal of weasel family (5) 10 It must be admitted (2,2,4) 11 Wish for enviously (5) 12 Joke (3) 16 Perceptive (6) 17 Fount (6) 18 Encountered (3) 23 Equal in position (5) 24 Go ahead! (4,4) 25 State of oblivion (5) 26 Partial (3-5) 27 Simulate (5)

DOWN

2 Unleash (3,5) 3 Cease gradually to use (5,3) 4 Spanish court game (6) 5 Smooth and glossy (5) 6 Capital of South Korea (5) 7 To change (5) 12 Precious stone (3) 13 Obtained (3) 14 Forcefully energetic person (4,4) 15 Assortment (5,3) 19 In high spirits (6) 20 In operation (5) 21 Move stealthily (5) 22 Groundwork (5)