CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,344

Across

7 Wine expert? Lightweight! (8) 9 Familiar with a hospital shown in book (2,4) 10 First round with present (6) 11 Grown-up lads use four-letter words, such as vest, suit, and ties! (8) 12 Such a dismissal may be given by a drill-sergeant (8,6) 15 Finish work on stone (4) 17 Crook who sneaks in King George mug (5) 19 With nothing on brownish-grey horse, backed last in race (4) 20 Long-haired right-winger swallowing setter’s yarn (6,3,5) 23 Form of pollution in sewer – CIA involved initially (4,4) 25 Bird, duck, on turbulent Loire (6) 27 Insect, bumbling I wager (6) 28 District of Paris pulled out of by financial establishment (4,4)

Down

1 Poet reportedly cheated (4) 2 Interference in stable (6) 3 Party in power, lacking leadership (4)

4 Old train company accommodating woman as standard (6)

5 Fried noodles cold – who cooked? Me, at home (4,4)

6 Diplomat, a male, so sad, drunk in pub (10)

8 Nightbird seen in Crosby making deliveries (7)

13 Not friendly towards others, worker is one in pub blowing top (10)

14 Greek with thousand pounds (5)

16 Make light of theatrical piece, blue (4,4)

18 Figure of female makes one stop broadcasting (4,3)

21 Outlying farm, good place to practise shooting (6)

22 Attempt to secure one pound for a hat (6)

24 River’s in the heart of Sweden, I learned (4)

26 Welsh town fellow’s eschewed dressing (4)