daily double
the easy way
ACROSS 1 Sudden convulsive movement (5) 8 Freedom of access (4,4) 9 Have relevance (5) 10 Drive dangerously close behind (8) 11 Take it easy (5) 12 Wager (3) 16 Western US state (6) 17 By mouth (6) 18 Small quantity of spirits (3) 23 Impudently self-assertive (5) 24 Consist of (8) 25 An assumed name (5) 26 Bit of unexpected good luck (8) 27 Former capital of Japan (5) DOWN 2 Pelted with missiles (8) 3 Put by (4,4) 4 Comprehension (6) 5 To slant (5) 6 A deep orange-pink (5) 7 Carrying a gun (5) 12 Prohibit (3) 13 Spinning toy (3) 14 Impartial treatment (4,4) 15 Example of outstanding quality (5,3) 19 A gross indignity (6) 20 Sullen bad-tempered look (5) 21 Included in (5) 22 Skill in practical arts (5)
the hard way
ACROSS 1 Lie about at an Israeli resort (5) 8 A memento I get strangely nervous about (8) 9 Remains top in points (5) 10 Sounds of disapproval issuing from the mews (8) 11 Urge preparation for breakfast? (3,2) 12 Not much time to get dry (3) 16 A shooting box? (6) 17 In opera Eugene shows singular spirit (6) 18 An engaging piece of humour (3) 23 They may be strung up by the neck (5) 24 Single-minded man? (8) 25 Some of them will be seen around Basra (5) 26 Curtails the brigade’s movements (8) 27 Piped over the border (5) DOWN 2 Basic interpretation of the triangle (8) 3 A piano tested and given the OK (8) 4 Give a present to Edna when dressed up (6) 5 Turn out not to one’s choice (5) 6 Cryptic clue about northern relative (5) 7 A seer in a flurry to get off the mark (5) 12 Gas rising from the sink (3) 13 Recognizable bit of machinery (3) 14 Put off and fed up with having made a mistake (8) 15 Lots are so docile (8) 19 Loved activity and colour (6) 20 A lighthouse casts it across the vessel (5) 21 Care nothing for ridicule (5) 22 When the devil drives they must (5)