CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Frolic leaves the parliamentarian with an alternative to return (4)

3. The cow, when surrounded with something to eat, blossomed (8)

9. This singer will get a high score (7)

10. Could not hold on, so got the sack (3,2)

11. To smooth things over have a night on the town (2,7,3) 13. Bossy and walks sideways? (6) 15. Messenger, we hear, may pop up in an American’s garden (6)

17. Misquote rank a make an unknown (8,4)

20. No hornets are house trained. So farewell to them (5)

21. PC Peter has moral instruction (7)

22. The slovenly woman from Rental St. (8) 23. Edification is non fiction. Now there’s a thought (4)

Down

1. About the finding out mission. We will look into it (8)

2. Chart the French needed to find tree … (5)

4. … there is not a chance if you don’t get one (4-2)

5. Based on good reasons – like a good electrical earth (4,8)

6. Improve core hut with new additions (7)

7. Showed how to build part of the boat (4)

8. Sprinkle the cracker (5-7)

12. Was a big blow-hard in Indonesia (8)

14. Maul Ian with corundum (7) 16. Skinny in the water and big in the sky (6)

18. Change the last word on the first of December (5)

19. Supporters get the wind up (4)