CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,772

Across

5 Enchanted – and about to get hurt (7) 7 Preface for this writer written retrospectively (5) 9 Duck when escort gets hit (6) 10 Article about group of people in the middle of Russia, Muslims (8) 11 Detected journalist’s halo maybe! (10) 13 Place of bitterness not keeping quiet (4) 14 Flexing muscle, sire is carrying one powerful weapon (6,7) 16 Fool cuts material short (4) 17 William Brown’s friend mad for biscuits (6,4) 19 Unmarried female writer having time wasted (8) 20 Notice old politicians making off-the-cuff comments (2-4) 22 Superficial brightness of hospital noticed on the outside (5) 23 Son gets box –one greedy for chocolates, maybe? (7)

Down

5 Enchanted – and about to get 1 Stay to hear Terry who was hurt (7) held hostage (4) 7 Preface for this writer written 2 Independent politician travels retrospectively (5) here and there for rallies (8) 9 Duck when escort gets hit (6) 3 Sort of town Communist 10 Article about group of liberated (6) people in the middle of Russia, 4 Study period said to be right Muslims (8) (10) 11 Detected journalist’s halo 5 Plants needing some drastic maybe! (10) action (5) 13 Place of bitterness not 6 Rebellious minister is cad and keeping quiet (4) is prejudiced (13) 14 Flexing muscle, sire is carrying 8 Marine creature mum has one powerful weapon (6,7) eaten – horrible! (7) 16 Fool cuts material short (4) 12 Ladies keep a tally of letters, 17 William Brown’s friend mad we hear (10) for biscuits (6,4) 14 Underground workers not 19 Unmarried female writer given right dogs (7) having time wasted (8) 15 Designer, the female artist 20 Notice old politicians making leading French fashion (8) off-the-cuff comments (2-4) 17 Author sounding fresh (6) 22 Superficial brightness of 18 Mount or hill in which sailor hospital noticed on the outside (5) is buried (5) 23 Son gets box –one greedy 21 Biography, story about for chocolates, maybe? (7) France’s leader (4)