CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Providing Pa’s about and not thinking well of it (12)

8. Pro is well thought of (2,6)

9. Where the church is concerned, it’s the East End (4)

11. Where the aircraft may be standing in front of the proscenium (5)

12. Sufficient reason for them to be left in a coffee pot (7)

13. To baste or give it a hammering (4)

15. To encounter a reverse, yet be very fruitful (4)

19. Irene guessed one was about to apostatise (7)

20. The food is gone, so tea is taken two ways (5)

22. Sort of glass found sticking out to sea? (4)

23. A bad role to be played, yet so worthy of love (8)

24. Where the bidding starts low? (6,6)

DOWN

2. If turning fine, right to gather it (5)

3. The coming end VAT is involved with (6)

4. Take it one will gamble recklessly to get in the pool (6)

5. Encroach on mine? Pig might! (7)

6. Mechanic to bribe with £500 (6-6)

7. His PRO can’t: I’m turning to man-hating (12)

10. A cunning person to trot to the dance (3) 14/8

14. Religious house converting coven to the New Testament (7)

16. Starts as good example of the era (3)

17. Models are not often changed (6)

18. The man with the cheque is an Indian body-servant (6)

21. The index board (5) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Marble 8. Roman 9. Objects 11. Sardines

12. Ambit 15. Nave 16. Odd 17. Adze 19. Scabs 21. Sideways

24. Selfish 25. Grain 26. Killer

Down: 2. Album 3. Beehives 4. Eats 5. Prude 6. Omen 7. Ants

10. Salad days 12. Arno 13. Watchful 14. Less 18. Swing

20. Baste 21. Sago 22. Dean 23. Seek