CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

9 A complete change of opinion regarding the variety act (5-4)

10 Would, you say, talk, though no parrot (8)

12 Stop and bow (4) 13 Fighting to get something done (6)

14 Sleeve you put your arm into (7)

15 The gang will hold their arranged meeting (9)

17 A state of somnolence (4,2,3)

18 Mark brought us in to give support (7)

20 The animal has a lair inside? Nonsense! (6)

21 You stand outside the hotel (4)

24 Proposed to the future wife (8)

26 What might be a warning device for the plant (8) 28 Got up in pink (4) 29 Fairly? I should say so (6) 31 Goes up in the air when one discloses unexpectedly (7) 34 Disturbed that it’s not yet paid (9) 36 “Deadlock” is hackneyed, pal (9)

38 “Old Fruit” competed in the race, in short (7)

39 I took a tea-break at work as a palliative (6)

40 Shy, slip off (4)

41 Does it moan when the gardener pulls it up? (8) 42 So much longer! (9)

DOWN

1 Spend a lot of time on sea trips (8) 2 In consequence, there’s very little time (6)

3 An official reception means work (8)

4 Am first making changes to the final chapter (6)

5 Did turn the vehicle round (8)

6 Everything second-hand? That’s quite customary (7,3) 7 The patrolling cops detained everybody at the fishmonger’s (7)

8 Shut up! The fellow has a gun (6)

11 Set the bird free to irritate her (7)

16 Left one with nothing to read (6)

19 Goes down to see some items in the kitchen department (5)

20 Free trip going to the East (3) 22 The female got aboard with the flier (5)

23 Fill the ward (6) 25 A communication from the spirit world? (4,6) 26 Question this woman we brought round (3)

27 Beat in the counter-revolution (7)

30 Was captioned, one argued (3,5)

31 Frightened to open, was induced to (8)

32 In the case of the lady, an unexpected death (8) 33 Leaves some hair (7) 35 Variety music (6)

36 Ill at ease, throw a fit when forced to enter (6)

37 A great big lady with a great big flower! (6)