CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Sepal uncurling in the cold fell in a heap (9)

5. Makes ugly demands initially with the dirt that’s slung (3)

7. On which one is bound to find nothing, changing hat (4)

8. One with gift of tongues got Polly to sort him out (8)

10. Get over us returning the right horse (8)

11. Air will change at start of December with no moisture (4)

13. Threw it down and made a run for it (6)

15. They dictate behaviour at spoken examination in writing (6)

18. Piece out of china on board that looks like wood (4)

19. One’s bearing the wheeled support of a gun (8)

22. State that, being in the red, showed how it was left (8)

23. Look vacantly at Scotsman who has swallowed a ring (4)

24. He teaches, but is upset right at the end (3)

25. A graph, dim as it may be, of the midriff (9)

DOWN

1. Wasn’t allowed to have one’s own way, so went to other side (7)

2. After a while change the first two around (5)

3. Helps oneself to sugar as one engages in dalliance (6)

4. Settlers may be granted three such of Grace (4)

5. Pair a lame person has given up, partly due to fever (7)

6. Old-fashioned product of palm found on the day (5)

9. The necessary unit is in my keeping (5)

12. It’s an apology, one is sad to say (5)

14. One careful as to intake is given less of a chance (7)

16. Bird like a gull is, in total, bony at the front (7)

17. Room for a judge enabling him to get the picture (6)

18. On the which it’s possible there may be a pack of them (5)

20. Smell that arises in steam or as vapour (5)

21. It may be a bore to effect a tie-up (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Common 4. Termed 9. Unaware 10. Throw 11. Twin

12. Dine 13. Ski 15. Grey 16. Stub 19. Ark 21. Tore 22. Curt

24. Drive 25. Scuttle 26. Dressy 27. Parrot

Down: 1. Countermanded 2. Meaning 3. Opal 5. Entreaty 6. Marks

7. Downing Street 8. Remit 14. Restless 17. Bluster 18. Gross

20. Knife 23. Pupa