crossword

EASY CLUES

ACROSS 8 A few (7) 9 Collection of shares (9) 13 Concur (5) 14 Perfect (5) 15 Unlawful (7) 16 Live together (7) 17 Picture surround (5) 18 Flowers (5) 20 Difficult question (5) 22 Cure (6) 23 Gobsmacked (6) 25 Disastrous (7) 27 Bravery (7) 30 Edible tuber (6) 31 Big cat (6) 32 Greek island (5) 35 Danger (5) 36 Strength (5) 37 Percussionist (7) 39 Captivate (7) 41 Legal defence (5) 42 Sum (5) 43 Unhurried (9) 44 Strain (7) DOWN 1 Scarcity (6) 2 Month (8) 3 Zodiac sign (11) 4 Rash (9) 5 Dressed (7) 6 Pirate flag (5,5) 7 Monarch (4) 10 Reckless (6) 11 Scent (7) 12 Cupboard (6) 19 Strut (7) 21 Stammer (7) 24 Trucker (5,6) 26 Hives (6,4) 28 Preposterous (9) 29 Refuse container (7) 30 Marionette (6) 32 Politeness (8) 33 Indisciplined (6) 34 Beseech (7) 38 Sheep meat (6) 40 Row (4)

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 8 Best work only half the time, mother (7) 9 Do you only have to pay it if you lose? (6,3) 13 Said it’s an incentive for a lightweight (5) 14 In height, we are way above (5) 15 They cut the wages of the shore workers (7) 16 I put in the new net, contriving to interweave it (7) 17 She sounds optimistic (5) 18 There’s a vibration and a flash (5) 20 A soft-hearted man popular with Canadians (5) 22 This time one has one more (6) 23 Cook right through in plenty of water (6) 25 When the desktop is put in, there’s a row (7) 27 Deny an increase to, for instance (7) 30 Supported while one lived with (6) 31 It’s hard to cut the string (6) 32 Is introduced to me at the outset (5) 35 Happening to have a key and opening (5) 36 Quick drink round about teatime (5) 37 At home glued to, then going out to have a drink (7) 39 He gives a nod and we’re off! (7) 41 An hour-long ride in somebody else’s car (5) 42 The cockney, more in need of cooling down, swims (5) 43 The next one has supporters (9) 44 Smoke, just to annoy you (7) DOWN 1 Tears up the article on courage (6) 2 Like the petite winner of the Miss Beer competition? (4-4) 3 Only leaves what one is entitled to (4,7) 4 Unhappy, urge into action (9) 5 Would the gun inside tend to go off if stepped on? (7) 6 Resigns and has Charles deputise for (6,2,2) 7 Hey! Answer the roll call! (4) 10 With the Sunday best on, is really funny (6) 11 Given a roll with red goo inside (7) 12 Tees off before me coming back, having the honour (6) 19 A woman taken up with fashion, like most (7) 21 Rank as confidential (7) 24 Feels, when one assumes control of (5,2,4) 26 More or less how one must be before leaving hospital (6,4) 28 Blasted freezing! (9) 29 Echoes the words of the agent out East (7) 30 Looked into bird nutrient myself (6) 32 Earned more than, when refurbished (4,4) 33 Fights and embeds the point in, or impales (6) 34 Anyhow, worms have a right to get into vegetables! (7) 38 The newest is the worst timekeeper (6) 40 Decline to give up (4)