CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 2. He’s a daring villain to get a word of congratulation (5) 5. Craft body one might get peas from (4) 7. Pile a man makes with a penny (4) 8. The fact of one’s being there with an imposing bearing (8) 9. Copies parcel is made up of (8) 11. A short reminder from me to a doctor in the army (4) 12. A backward movement, but no regrets – or is that possible? (13) 15. Happy to wander idly around when about fifty (4) 17. A sea-squirt with a coat one devoured (8) 19. Aloft, one might heave rod out (8) 21. Robbery from band-leader by old convict (4) 22. With no work, one could be led astray (4) 23. Use the necessary writer in South Dakota (5) DOWN 1. Go before half the record can get in deep trouble (7) 2. Starts breakfast, and provides a soft roll (3) 3. Broad-leaved lavender one could set in a mould (5) 4. Howsoever the East might superintend it (7) 5. Colour, and how soundly one can hack it (3) 6. Stand-in could almost make medical first (5) 10. Ghastly bit of card I rule up (5) 11. A composer’s output I sum up at start of concert (5) 13. Gets together the rags for making it (7) 14. One rejected as to cut he may have made (7) 16. Pounds one with six old pence, pale with anger (5) 18. A reminder that one may be elbowed aside (5) 20. Such deer as turn up in the orient (3) 21. It may flower as a term of friendship in America (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Matter-of-fact 8. Regulate 9. Aver 11. Verve 12. Imperil 13. Dope 15. Dean 19. Narrate 20. Logic 22. Iris 23. Positive 24. Landing-stage Down 2. Anger 3. Tiller 4. Retail 5. Adverse 6. Turtle-necked 7. Providential 10. Spy 14. Portion 16. Wag 17. Belong 18. Plaint 21. Going