CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Belief as source of hope in troubled times? (6)

4 Pussy eats stewed bream or some other seafood (8)

9 Previous enemy’s ending in house of prayer (6)

10 Physically abusive types offering kisses? (8)

11 Sadly never having had food, daughter becomes exhausted (9)

13 Girl revealed in silly diary (5)

14 Underground worker, ace thinking properly about study of ores (13)

17 Cool instruction to assistant dealing with letters seen as trivial (13)

21 Maybe censor article in Gaelic language (5)

23 In pain, wasted away, left abandoned (9)

24 Horse with excellent name – Ben, maybe? (8)

25 Robe – king has one on, smothering maiden with love (6)

26 Sign of a bull? One grins,

shaking (4-4)

27 Greek characters given guidance about endless assignment (6)

DOWN

1 A good sort in formal headgear (6)

2 I deem rip’s bad in protective layer (9)

3 Endeavoured to be good person, motivated without leader (7)

5 Giving new style to funny old men, girl full of energy (11)

6 Support wooden person in tasks still to be dealt with (7)

7 In conclusion this writer is correct (5)

8 The empty farm’s outhouse that can be tried out (8)

12 Finish period with one group of people (11)

15 Ruffian that could give someone a close shave (3-6)

16 Team’s players – they may be collecting money on Sunday (8)

18 Bigger kitchen device being heard (7)

19 Oily substance – a product available in Belfast? (7)

20 Awful notes after party upset (6)

22 Fevers with some vague symptoms (5)