CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS
9 Issue more than the others – the maximum (9)
10 The answer is to have a liquid mixture (8)
12 Achieve the correct balance with the ornamentation (4) 13 No mere mortal, I guess (6) 14 Will lay on drink, you think (7) 15 Commits an error in writing the clue for “odes” (4,5) 17 Was a welsher – a shortcoming, indeed (9)
18 Spots an insect crawling round the hole (7)
20 Very keen to get the other flighty daughter into (3-3) 21 He’s come back with a fresh egg (4)
24 Hasn’t it yet learned to steer clear of insect spray? (8) 26 Bought back and restored oneself to favour (8)
28 So after all is left unfinished, too (4)
29 Going back, see the trainee’s mistake (4-2)
31 Is fast finding what all the study was for (7)
34 Very sad he ruined the roast again (5-4)
36 A dash just before take-off (5,4)
38 “Lacks stability,” they add (7) 39 With which to pay the minder? (6)
40 Story Sally was given specially to break (4)
41 Only commenting on briefly, but it’s poignant (8) 42 A difficult task for High Command (4,5)
DOWN
1 Interrupted only when I tend to digress (6,2)
2 Go out when you light up (6) 3 Do get involved in some game (8)
4 Pearls are round, by the way (6)
5 Went up and roughly cased all round, you conclude (8) 6 Heavy rain accompanied by lightning? (5,5) 7 Doesn’t retire and creates a logjam (5,2) 8 Managed to leave when it became known (3,3) 11 First the raging gale drowned the noise (7)
16 Like a really bad oil lamp? (6) 19 Spoils the acts (5)
20 He’s a catch (3) 22 Question the female we apprehended (5)
23 Finds out that money constitutes a snare (6)
25 Show yourself to have a heart, perhaps, and emulate (6,4)
26 Knock back the usual (3) 27 Carrying the spray (mace) and a knife (7) 30 Standing outside “The Goat’s Head,” Peter is worried (8) 31 Keeps it a secret from the firm and freelances (8)
32 A job you are safe and at home in? (8)
33 Eke out the bit of porridge (7)
35 Fighting to get something done (6)
36 A little flash (6)
37 To hinder from grasping power, I deem wrong (6)