CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Girl in Great Britain puts down craftspeople (12) 9 At present, bishop’s inside unharmed, restricted by weather (9)

10 A pupil skipping starter ordered rice dish (5)

11 Old king painting

Ben in film? (6)

12 Way to get round permit for gambling game (8) 13 European left in Greek island resort returned (6)

15 Take care of yard after middle of fence gets bent (8) 18 Dire pint turned out to be stout (8) 19 Rodent’s to harm retreating cat (6) 21 Worried terrible old brute (8) 23 Ridicule you in text with answer in book (6) 26 Song about King Cole, essentially (5)

27 Get rid of priest and friend outside home (9) 28 Reams in posh novel on husband’s equestrian ability (12) DOWN

1 Good, primarily, at servicing traps? They are (7)

2 A contest not far away (5)

3 Two vessels put away for master (9) 4 Avoiding the head, thump disrespectful person (4) 5 Gaping wound one wiped (4-4) 6 Spurn insurgent after change of heart (5) 7 Choice about one metal or another (8) 8 Morose eating last bit of chocolate, no doubt (6) 14 Motor in the open panel (8) 16 Rocky Inca road north is harsh (9)

17 Dull selfie shot in outskirts of Leeds (8) 18 Whole section in joint action (6)

20 Buy a bigger property when business is better (5,2) 22 Bear expression of disapproval about the French revolutionary (5) 24 Covering of blades, with or without small opening (5) 25 Strong male holding up tree (4)