CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Female side, if fast, could follow Democrat leader (7)

5. Small drum and bar to play it with (5)

8. Idle talk, and tract he makes of it (7)

9. The humble moo is duly halved (5)

10. It may be pooled, but it will score forty (6,3)

12. Type of deer in part, theoretically, making a comeback

(3)

13. The thing that changes darkness (5)

17. At one in the morning it is one’s purpose (3)

19. Anyone can cause such aggravation (9)

21. To play from the tee, be behind the wheel (5)

22. Might take drink with editor, being a like spirit (7)

24. Stinging sort of return made, right away (5)

25. He makes drainage cuts the church tried to organise

(7)

1/8

5. Communication, mind to mind, of the type Al produced

(9)

6. Anchor at front of recess in the garden (5)

7. Made corresponding sound to my herd scattering (6)

11. A feature met in lane that winds about (9)

14. A king among the butterflies (7)

15. Carriage to put one down on a forbidden turn (6)

16. Put in a bid for a boat’s small craft (6)

18. Corn one found in the labyrinth (5)

20. Having nothing on, this eye sees without glasses (5)

23. Food that may be bolted (3)