CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Shared an understanding with shyest maid, trembling, keeping quiet (11)

7 City oddball, one with two females in tow (7)

8 Upset daughter is the opposite of sweet, rolling over (7)

10 Form of technology – something hard engineers initially attempt (8)

11 Play in small country community (6)

13 Language used by loud Russians in retreat (4)

14 Come by to fight or bless? (3,5,2)

16 Day of celebration with everyone needing permits to go round hospital (3,7)

18 That’s contemptible, having Greek character shut up (4)

21 Puts up with spectators’ accommodation (6)

22 One telling tales in class with little hesitation (8)

24 Footballer around half-time’s first person to grumble (7)

25 Greek lady that is one of a senior generation (7)

26 Greedier man troubled officers abroad (11)

DOWN

1 Before start of December fir gets nicely dressed (7)

2 Edmund early in the morning upset lass (6)

3 A story about company that may be ratified (10)

4 Keep secret identity when entertained by the fellow (4)

5 With blemishes all around, America suffers (8)

6 SS and similar folk (7)

7 One goes round very quickly and one’s teeth are on edge (8,3)

9 Club against money demanded for police action (5,6)

12 Famous Argentinian side lifted cup – what gets those gnashers going? (7,3)

15 A darn cig ruined jacket (8)

17 Man on board goes down after short jump – when the vessel’s this? (7)

19 Huge fellows squeezed into semi, getting sozzled (7) 20 Locks to secure old books? That’s silly talk! (3,3)

23 Fast runner heading off over a field (4)