CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Begins play, so goes back to embrace the writer (5)

4. Gun for a flaming branch of service (7) 8. After beer, right first and last to be on the qui vive (5)

9. Blue man got tails out, confused by the pain in his back (7)

10. Haul back the way the food goes (3) 11. Once more audition Sarah for practice on stage (9)

12. Speak sharply (except for the weekend) (4)

13. Lightly wound one in a bungalow in Germany (4)

18. They play, while he gets involved in chopping carrots (9)

20. A bit of butter, off which one has the words perfectly (3)

21. Gave no end of trouble in the auction, but one may rescue it (7)

22. Up to being as good as another (5) 23. Long note to Mother who loses her head at least (7)

24. Verify accounts of fraud itemised internally (5)

Down

1. Nothing to anger about flower in the bride’s bouquet (6-7)

2. Man picking team loses head one to put across separately (7)

3. It sends up one in a rest-break (6)

4. Hit fly for six, otherwise it’s most unclean (6)

5. Dances for graduates begun with some spirit (6)

6. A church service to get together (5) 7. Overnight departure leaving the landlord short (9,4)

14. One thousand quid? Lock it away! (7) 15. To remain unruffled, take the wind out of one’s sails? (6)

16. Pour forth right amongst the vapour (6)

17. With which to take or shoot without injuring (6)

19. Two points vertically found in the abdomen (5)

Yesterday's solution

Across 1. Free-wheeled 8. Elate 9. Succeed 10. Skittle 11. Navel 12. Augers 14. Cat-nap 18. Paint 19. Tallboy 21. Nowhere 23. Maize 24. Out of pocket Down 1. Freesia 2. Erasing 3. Wheat 4. Easter 5. Lucinda 6. Dye 7. Model 13. Retreat 15. Niblick 16. Payment 17. Itself 18. Pants 20. Limbo 22. Who