CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Guy maybe getting engineers to accept work (4) 3 His mad idol turns out to be prim and proper (3-7) 9 Stories offering element of thrill or escapism (4) 10 One may suggest that you should compose letters differently (10) 11 With temperature, strange little boy walks tentatively (7) 13 Goddess came across, carried by stag maybe (7) 14 Very small commander dealt with slavery and homelessness (11) 18 With revision needed, setter meant to give an alternative form of words (11) 21 Loose woman Victorian novelist reported (7) 22 Building company takes time, time, time! (7) 23 Are its pies ‘fantastique’? (10) 24 Composer noted for silence in prison (4) 25 Hurry to small city to see flowering plants (10) 26 Former PM wanting power, slippery creature (4)

DOWN

1 Member of family corresponding (8) 2 Display cut short with one old car turning over for example (8) 4 More than one north European drinks, we hear (5) 5 Mother grabs English lord — terrible song and dance (9) 6 Unable to get pay, keeping quiet, needing temporary shelter (11) 7 Identity destroyed almost? Imagine! (6) 8 Walkers shriek when disturbed (6) 12 Relaxed lad is rebel, I suspect (11) 15 Spooner’s model, family girl getting a piece of facial protection (9) 16 Derek Trotter knowing bit of America (8) 17 Part of Somerset here, alluring and heavenly (8) 19 Female campaigner drinks heavily after conclusion of crusades (6) 20 Northern town offers illegal recording — not good! (6) 22 Coldness about to descend on elevated land (5)