CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 7 & 15ac. Miss by a whisker – or a total lack of (1,5,5)

8. They were eras of the “she cop” (6)

9. Yield in an about face decision (4)

10. Is he (or she) a bit of a hoot after hours? (5,3)

11. Three of a kind? (7)

13. A colour you may sling around when asleep (5)

15. See 7

17. Having an evening out? (7) 20. You may even find a chess piece here (8)

21. Wetsuit is useless you idiot! (4)

23. Climb to the top or the bottom we hear (6)

24. Outdo the former church journalist (6)

Down

1. The account he got caused some stress (4)

2. If it’s an enticement – get on with it! (4,2)

3. Keen toy becomes a tonic (7) 4. Truck driver gentleman admits being borderline (5)

5. The piper’s son gets a beating (3-3)

6. How mince is turned into oriental take-away (4,4)

12. Practice being a soldier on the funeral car (8)

14. We heard you can get a return from the seer (7)

16. Turn with bearings just on the surface (6)

18. A sign of summer on the Canadian lake? (6)

19. Reprimand - so many take cover (5)

22. Roadie has no alternative but to come up with a notion (4)

Yesterday

Across: 1. Impatiently, 9. Caged, 10. Alright, 11. Axis, 12. Departed,

14. Myths, 15. Flute, 20. Reindeer, 22. Kiln, 24. Bedroll, 25. Armed,

26. Paperweight.

Down: 2. Magnify, 3. Adds, 4. Images, 5. Normally, 7. Ocean, 8. Study, 13 & 6dn. Shed some light, 16. Triumph, 17. Cribs, 18. Yellow,

19. Snide, 21. India, 23. Nazi.