daily double
the hard way
ACROSS 1 Counterfeit cover for a lie (9) 8 Having no occupation (5) 9 Melodies to practise on board (7) 10 The island Oberon transformed (6) 11 There may be a catch in them (6) 12 A superintendent too poetic about poetry (8) 15 Profit made by moneylending concern (8) 18 Make a legal charge (6) 20 Changes which should be made by wrongdoers (6) 21 A medical definition in the list got changed (7) 22 Alec’s unusual ties (5) 23 Token of sincerity - and nervousness (9)
DOWN 2 He plays his part in fact or fancy (5) 3 Took a hard look at various trades (6) 4 Generous applause goes to a few (8) 5 A way to divert people? (6) 6 Spider gets fly that’s artificial (7) 7 He pretends their copy is spoiled (9) 11 Very well, do better friend! (9) 13 Involved in forming a new date line (8) 14 Extensive exercise done by prisoners (7) 16 Is hard perhaps but may be eaten (6) 17 Put down a whisky (6) 19 Too smooth for oil on troubled waters (5)
the easy way
ACROSS 1 Indisputable (9) 8 Constellation, the Hunter (5) 9 Being conscious (7) 10 Form of unarmed combat (6) 11 Meal (6) 12 Spasmodically (2,3,3) 15 Racketeer (8) 18 Neat in dress (6) 20 Detestation (6) 21 Peevish (7) 22 Flinch in pain (5) 23 Petty fault-finder (3-6)
DOWN 2 Credulous (5) 3 An expression of dismay (2,4) 4 Utter indiscreetly (5,3) 5 Sphere of control (6) 6 Disclaim belief in (7) 7 Facing hostile criticism (5,4) 11 Lacking refinement (5-4) 13 Simple runway (8) 14 Precise moment (7) 16 Scandinavian country (6) 17 Freezing cold (6) 19 Principle that is supported (5)