BARE BONES

Complete the grid – numbers and squares. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away. Answer next week.

Across

1 Obsolete after London area calmed down 5 Simple to put graduates in charge

7 Keen to agree to change 10 Canasta certainly includes a card

11 It makes a straight line for the sovereign

12 Sailors having energy is maybe how it all ends 13 Dream makes follower stay involved

15 Expect chap will get work 16 Coarse wife guided outside

17 Socialist in prosperous time shows lack of enthusiasm

21 Thespian has worn coat to the end of winter 22 Pale, like a farm animal 23 Expected trick to remove pressure

24 Odds level on Sunday 25 Malicious and talkative without husband 26 Prolong a term at Her Majesty’s pleasure

Down

1 Fracas broke out without a muffler 2 Depicted as having a strained appearance 3 Article thanks to foreign character 4 Divine being shows solidity, lacking north and south

5 Their brat affected how many more kids there will be (Two words)

6 Alters cultivation with favourite fertiliser 8 Fruit stolen as ammunition 9 Scenery I’d design for a regular gig

14 Item of formal attire is a link

17 Alloy of copper makes money 18 Clause for an equestrian

19 Lived to have terribly lewd time

20 Parade takes thirty-one days