CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Present licence taking in

account one’s sweetheart (12) 8 Extravagant old gentleman

sent back dish (7) 9 Revolutionary artist with brush

tip spoils icon collection (7) 11 Teacher losing last resistance

for European student (7) 12 Short-term trendy cut

involves energy (7) 13 Flash around river reveals fish (5) 14 ‘Relate’ being bold to break up a heartache? (9) 16 Nudge holding a balance (9) 19 Part initially revolving

or turning over rapidly (5) 21 A torrent going over round

grand American falls (7) 23 Use former wife’s

intrigue to keep single (7) 24 English Literature

First for snob (7) 25 Caught in final leg,

rowed briskly (7) 26 Excellent time raced

before finish in track (12)

DOWN 1 Rogue wearing suit

is 21, maybe (7) 2 Best could be one

of worst (7) 3 Terrible idea so far previously mentioned (9) 4 All performers express disapproval on sex being raised (5) 5 Bird identified

by crows? (7) 6 Small airline

serving part of Russia (7) 7 Drunk on pub terrace

displaying beer belly? (12) 10 Earn more until cut changes salary (12) 15 China working on replica (9) 17 This person fronts a bank, getting richer (7) 18 Roman perhaps flipping great penetrating translation of Latin (7) 19 Check Queen record oddly unlisted (7) 20 However tense, meditation is the answer (7) 22 Cheers up endlessly minute garret (5)