THE TAKE-A-BREAK CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 4. Malicious gossip lads can become involved in (7) 8. Turns me slap into trees (6) 9. Figures there’s some point in status (7) 10. Necessitate being in late perhaps (6) 11. Say your piece? (6) 12. Possibly face up to a hot drink (3,2,3) 18. Game virtue (8) 20. If people are not to, vaster redistribution is required (6) 21. Half Africa gets help but is feeling insecure (6) 22. Noisy game? (7) 23. One will be sorry to do it (6) 24. Outsize catches for birds (7) DOWN 1. I put a politician on each charge (7) 2. Its message is a grave one (7) 3. It stands out for help for the poor (6) 5. Fall that impairs vision (8) 6. It may act as a warning, once it has been put round (6) 7. A small department’s skilled personnel (6) 13. Records an attempt to provide curtains (8) 14. This signal leaves you speechless for a time (7) 15. Poverty led to being irritated (7) 16. Takes things the wrong way (6) 17. He profits even when told to sell at a loss (6) 19. You can tell when a player’s at his best (6)

QUICK CLUES

Across 4. Pardon (7) 8. Lie in wait (6) 9. Pertinent (7) 10. Clandestine (6) 11. Eatable (6) 12. Desperado (8) 18. Vegetation (8) 20. Join (6) 21. Stop (6) 22. Discernment

(7) 23. Snub (6) 24. First (7) Down 1. Knead (7) 2. Vulgar (7) 3. Evaluate (6) 5. Maintain (8) 6. Clear (6) 7. Mild (6) 13. In harmony (8) 14. Winding (7) 15. Nonplus (7) 16. Angle (6) 17. Average (6) 19. Team (6)

FRIDAY’S SOLUTIONS

QUICK Across 6 Javelin 7 Board 9 Cloak 10 Connive 12 Indifferent 14 Sentimental 18 Ecstasy 19 Stand 21 Sever 22 Laconic Down 1 Cable 2 Detain 3 Rip 4 Corner 5 Prevent 8 Confine 11 Dismiss 13 Teacher 15 Titter 16 Action 17 Antic 20 Vat CRYPTIC Across 6 Flatter 7 Minor 9 Stops 10 Inverse 12 Reformatory 14 Quicksilver 18 Dismiss 19 Rotor 21 Hardy 22 Tongues Down 1 Cloth 2 Staple 3 Sea 4 Divest 5 Consort 8 Anomaly 11 Possess 13 Puritan 15 Comedy 16 Enough 17 Lover 20 Son