the crosswords
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 A girl who is tender to domestic animals (6,4)
8 I scold, being very cross (5) 9 Unnecessary warning to a caretaker? (7) 10 See the bishop’s concern (7)
11 Sort of organ that sometimes needs a blower (5)
12 Drunken RAF ace holds a drink (6)
14 A maths formula which leaves one breathless (6)
17 Alarm a charming woman (5)
19 A crafty contest (7)
21 How to play a piece written in quavers? (7) 22 Compel payment to be precise (5)
23 Her work could be habit-forming (10)
DOWN
2 It’s possibly mean of us to show delight (7)
3 She’s precise about a point (5) 4 Cupboard key (6)
5 Student of the past (7)
6 Spots signs of a faulty washer (5) 7 Alan sent up in a nasty way (10) 8 Device is in a form that’s not final (10) 13 An enthusiast to get on and flourish (7) 15 Swift seller (3,4)
16 First impressions of a photographer (6) 18 Mad about braid (5)
20 Miss Garbo was unusually great (5)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Agile, stealthy thief (3,7) 8 Perilous (5) 9 Hair-washing preparation (7) 10 Dog of mixed breed (7) 11 Ancient abode of the dead (5) 12 Insincere (6) 14 Emergency (6)
17 Wire rope (5)
19 White of egg (7) 21 Principal (7)
22 By oneself (5) 23 Pertinacity (10)
DOWN
2 Store of weapons (7) 3 Purchaser (5) 4 Outcome (6)
5 Tanned animal skin (7) 6 Swift (5)
7 Sound practical wisdom (5,5) 8 Tumbledown (10) 13 Initial (7)
15 Order to appear in court (7) 16 Display as enticement (6) 18 Trademark (5) 20 Muscular strength (5)