THE TAKE-A-BREAK CROSSWORD

ACROSS 7. Get out of bed (6) 8. Feel in for a change, like a cat (6) 10. The head cleaner! (7) 11. Information that is to be found in the Arabian Nights (5) 12. Escape from a rifle encounter (4) 13. Speeds regulated by local authorities (5) 17. A possibility of power (5) 18. Hotel employee brought to book (4) 22. One may slip and fall into it (5) 23. Flower in my control (7) 24. Humble a good man, after a fashion (6) 25. I left first followed by a Shakespearian heroine (6) DOWN 1. Doesn’t encourage delays (4, 3) 2. Small cask for fresh water – or sea water (7) 3. Circles a strange sloop (5) 4. Worked to rule? (7) 5. Huge portion of Norwegian trout (5) 6. Even turned up it’s the same (5) 9. Out to make one uneasy? (3,2, 4) 14. Conversation becomes pointless if you do (7) 15. Special gifts of money (7) 16. Some people face it with resolution (3, 4) 19. Appears to look at some writing (5) 20. Cured in a rough way (5) 21. Legally prevent poets being translated (5)

QUICK CLUES

Across 7. Source (6) 8. Force (6) 10. In addition to (7) 11. Name (5) 12. Not one (4) 13. Subject of discussion (5) 17. Mar (5) 18. Unaccompanied (4) 22. Caper (5) 23. Idea (7) 24. Worthless (6) 25. Shiver (6) Down 1. Join together (7) 2. Disagree (7) 3. Discovers (5) 4. Include (7) 5. Malice (5) 6. Change (5) 9. Partner (9) 14. Apparition (7) 15. Pardon (7) 16. Twist (7) 19. Fortunate (5) 20. Motionless (5) 21. Sham (5)

THURSDAY’S SOLUTIONS

QUICK Across 1 Dread 4 Portend 8 Secrete 9 Class 10 Only 11 Derision 13 Brow 14 Cede 16 Rearmost 17 Pate 20 Brain 21 Eclipse 22 Entreat 23 Greet Down 1 Dishonourable 2 Excel 3 Deed 4 Prefer 5 Receiver 6 Examine 7 Disengagement 12 Commence 13 Blatant 15 Ascent 18 Ample 19 Flag CRYPTIC Across 1 Usage 4 Lucifer 8 Instant 9 Lying 10 Eats 11 After all 13 Ties 14 Mace 16 To be sure 17 Tame 20 Oscar 21 Mustard 22 Slowest 23 Ruler Down 1 United Nations 2 Asset 3 Edam 4 Let off 5 Cul-de-sac 6 Frigate 7 Regular reader 12 Sets free 13 Tobacco 15 Prompt 18 Avail 19 User