CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD
Here’s your chance to win a €15 book token. Complete the crossword using either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.887, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.886 is Eileen Brosnan, Harold’s Cross Road, Dublin 6W.
CRYPTIC CLUES Across
8 Withdraw therapist (6)
9 Set is difficult – need adjustment (8)
10 Paper drinks top? Count me out (8)
11 Sodium forced into people (6)
12 Leader, your leader, is exhilarating (5)
13 Swelling gets fat, but not initially (4)
14 Gather pear was cooked (4)
16 Observed it’s mottled (7)
18 Initially cooked strange favourite that gets toasted (7)
20 Charge payment, about to be dismissed (4)
21 Stumble on the journey (4)
22 In summer, cyborg has compassion (5)
25 British liner wasted capital (6)
27 Sample recordings before ornamental work (8)
28 Polished some pearls (8)
29 Only exists for fruit (6)
Down
1 Arrive with her empty shiny coat (6)
2 Wound up fluid date, rescheduling (10)
3 Terrible risk, including English athlete (5)
4 Japanese ruler has time to get a weapon (7)
5 Happen to rant about steeple (9)
6 Advanced fast (4)
7 Criminal does get tardy and grim (8)
14 Permits our design for garment (6-4)
15 Any recent improvement in anniversary (9)
17 Serene exercise – expert flu treatment (8)
19 Travel around tip, damaged in dangerous current (7)
23 Sculptor’s chair (6)
24 Frighten a spy (5)
26 Overdue, chipping front off tile (4)
QUICK CLUES Across
8 Diminish (6)
9 Toughened (8)
10 Legal paper (8)
11 Country (6)
12 Intoxicating (5)
13 Protuberance (4)
14 Harvest (4)
16 Noticed (7)
18 Savoury cake (7)
20 Hospital room (4)
21 Excursion (4)
22 Leniency (5)
25 European capital (6)
27 Embroidery (8)
28 Enlightened (8)
29 Small fruit (6)
Down
1 Decorative finish (6)
2 Wound up (10)
3 Winter sportsperson (5)
4 Firearm (7)
5 Become apparent (9)
6 Period of fasting (4)
7 Bleak (8)
14 One-piece garment (6-4)
15 Big anniversary (9) 17 Tranquil (8)
19 Fast-flowing current (7)
23 Meat knife (6)
24 Ghost (5)
26 Tardy (4)