2-Speed Crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Do away with the girl? Spoilsport! (7) 5 Timid little creature maybe – but she nags (5) 8 Some have a table ordered to do it (3) 9 Gets the lot presumably (7) 10 Absolute crackpot if from the North (5) 11 He protects the Queen in this place (4) 12 Shows up with a paper’s revised edition (7) 14 Emphasise lock must be attached to pole (6) 16 Entertainment also includes a race (6) 19 In which work should prove fruitful? (7) 21 Depression one might be pleased to pass through (4) 24 Engineer would find them engaging (5) 25 Shake large number involved in bet (7) 26 The way energy equates with self-esteem (3) 27 Revolvers known for their pop sound (5) 28 Effects seen in a variety of lustres (7)

DOWN

1 Ken? Apparently not, we hear? (4) 2 Attractive goods it turns out (5) 3 Craftsmen coming into the profession? (7) 4 Unusual, men say — he agrees! (3, 3) 5 Baffle with what little is left (5) 6 Take back again to large stretch of land (7) 7 Place of employment – and its staff dance (8) 13 Miscellaneous asters do look like this (8) 15 Dishonest dealings in sports equipment (7) 17 At which to find speaker giving it? (7) 18 Rioted, so this news man shows up (6) 20 Pains, having hot ones around (5) 22 It helps identify a bell (5) 23 Not to be drunk — they are the General’s (4)

COFFEE TIME ACROSS

1 Wet blanket (7) 5 Mouse-like animal (5) 8 Consume (3) 9 Makes higher offer (7) 10 Speak (5) 11 Present! (4) 12 Seems (7) 14 Strain (6) 16 Pattern on skin (6) 19 Fruit trees (7) 21 Valley (4) 24 Part of comb (5) 25 Quiver (7) 26 The “I” (3) 27 Records (5) 28 Consequences (7)

DOWN

1 Be aware of (4) 2 Turning machine (5) 3 Artisans (7) 4 Sycophant (3, 3) 5 Flummox (5) 6 Withdraw (7) 7 Manual work place (8) 13 Mixed (8) 15 Tennis bats (7) 17 Speech (7) 18 Paper boss (6) 20 Longs (5) 22 Tag (5) 23 Sediment (4)