CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. One going in for a sort of natter about the North (7)

5. An aircraft no pacifist will use (7)

9. In Havana country rubbish is returned as it may hatch eggs (9)

10. Get a great deal together for a service (5)

11. One torn from the opening passage of music (5)

12. Destroy dune, and it might get flooded (9)

13. Pitch of a voice perhaps suits rate for it (9)

16. Use bad language or use credit to do so (5)

17. One who lives in the neighbourhood pub? (5)

18. Imaginary world one can see with one’s eyes shut (5-4)

20. Thinks very highly of indispensable helpers (9)

23. Companions in various teams (5)

25. The chosen size of type for a typewriter (5)

26. Accumulate what one will need to make concrete (9)

27. They’re not married, as the records show (7)

28. Arranged how one squared one’s account (7)

DOWN

1. Favouring the 25, it is let out (7)

2. In diplomacy one is understood not to be spoken (5)

3. Fragrant, delicious lamb – or is a mince needed? (9)

4. When everyone plays it, click one’s tongue as it turns up (5)

5. Lucky for the melody, at being included (9)

6. It’s a thousand notes for the piano (5)

7. Italian restaurant has tart to air in such a way (9)

8. What’s left may dwell around bureau finally (7)

14. What gland produces in cone tries to be different (9)

15. One road beneath another made of super sand (9)

16. French cheese arrived: Monsieur gave it to Bert (9)

17. The characters involved in correspondence (7)

19. Sid turns up to look after it - swell! (7)

21. She will shortly get a carapace (5)

22. Long stories that go up and down (5)

24. Show what’s to come on the beaten path in the wilds (5)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 7. Paraphernalia 8. Malfeasance 12. Lilies 14. Seraph 16. Varies

18. Marine 19. Eye for an eye 23. Disinterested

Down: 1. Balm 2. Wall 3. Sheets 4. Crusts 5. Main 6. Wise 9. Allergy

10. Charity 11. Shoe 12. Live 13. Ere 15. Era 17. Shorts 18. Meagre

19. Evil 20. Epic 21. Ease 22. Ever