TODAY’S QUICK CROSSWORD IS ON

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

12 The gist of what the officer has in mind (7,4) 13 A banger — a great big one (6) 14 Amending memo. Not dropping the ball for a second (6) 16 Happy? Good boy (4) 17 Why’s one itching to atone for one’s misdeeds (4,5) 18 Bags of instances (5) 19 Required to get round at The King’s Head (4) 20 Why one forgets something painful to recall? (3,6) 22 I break the news about possible source of fever (5) 23 In the past, forging a note for a prison sentence (2,3,4) 27 For me to work on, to encourage sales (7) 30 So right. Was a cheat and sleazy (6) 31 The excavation is complete, I hear (4) 32 Fight dirty, heartless and obstreperous (5) 35 Following, catch. Embracing, kiss (4) 36 Portend, before getting to the green (7) 38 Measure new hole on the outside (4) 39 Had done without because absent (7) 42 Looks at son, tears welling (6) 45 In addition, starts redirecting back (5) 46 Trying to get a glimpse of the monarch (7) 47 A great deal upset, I go in to work (4) 48 It’s on the side of my body. Left one, doctor (4) 50 Was clearly surprised to have got under way (7) 52 Send me back into central Mauritius (5) 54 Runs like _ _ ! (6) 56 Changed the tale, found out and embarrassed (7) 57 It’s a bore, drawing; failing to get win (4) 59 And getting involved in the mess is really stupid (7) 61 Leave of your own volition (4) 64 Bet vegetarians won’t like the sound of that! (5) 66 Not working, depressed, drink (4) 67 In two letters, said too much (6) 69 Was disparaging. Darn silly, you confess (3,4) 72 On the way, train crashes. Isn’t in need of treatment (2,7) 73 Not that one with the gold plating (5) 74 Not having been told how to develop films (2,3,4) 79 Punch that, going by the book, is below the belt (4) 81 Attempt by a mere mortal to create a tree (5) 82 Hollowed — thoroughly (6,3) 83 In which teachers mould pupils? (4) 85 Travelling east, with navy following behind (6) 86 Alters the last parts and has me go through (6) 87 Trip over, when you get in your front door (8,3)

DOWN

1 Will it grant a wish to be healthy? (4) 2 How often fashions turn up that the large can get into? (6) 3 A measure of just to what depths you’ve sunk? (6) 4 Flying, I arrive at popular holiday area (7) 5 Gracious! Has seen off half the birds! (5) 6 Mastered the art of keeping silent? (8,2) 7 Renewed hope about. Caught in time (5) 8 Angry words spoken in jest? (9) 9 As adult, thinking it’s funny (7) 10 Black mark for improper language (4) 11 Told it’s for lining denim confection (8) 15 Were watching when we competed to capture (6) 21 Say yes, time again enter into (5) 24 This is lacking, should have supposed (7) 25 He’s afraid to consume raw minced fish (6) 26 Complain when I change key in (6) 28 Mother is a matchmaker (5) 29 Advice is ‘Hole up’ (3) 33 Don’t lip read the word ‘rumour’ (7) 34 Determined to turn odd bad egg in (6) 37 Made the mistake of again backing a colour (5) 40 Din outside is disturbing one (5) 41 The number is next wrongly divided by a quarter (7) 43 Until the wife brought in material (5) 44 Because she’s framing with window frames (6) 46 Get out when car’s jammed at top of The Mall (5) 49 The wave that did the damage? (7) 51 Turning it round is hard work (6) 53 Edward has some back inside. Most unassuming (6) 55 Myself and the others get unhappy about; cut up (5) 58 Pulverises ropy team taking part in ‘Eggheads’ (5,5) 60 Understand, we’re told, in the main (3) 62 Put women in role designed to debase (5) 63 For the record, I unusually included an aromatic herb (9) 65 Eels wriggling in barrels, having no air (8) 68 Stop rain getting into burrow (6) 70 Mean to correct one bloomer (7) 71 Travelling, where dart thrown should land (2,5) 75 Giving me the odd hint about hired assassins (3,3) 76 Fed up, take advantage of, to restore calm (6) 77 A bay right by provides concealment (5) 78 I do spill it, carrying mug (5) 80 Tiny, gentle sob (4) 84 Would it give the jewel thief a buzz? (4)