Two-speed coffeebreak

Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 1 Landlady’s character (6) 4 Huge vats are used (4) 7 Finished six deliveries (4) 8 Warning the rat off (6) 9 Lied about being lazy (4) 10 Dog left to have a look (4) 12 Firm around middle (4) 14 Agree to deny defence (3) 16 Has rumpled blonde hair (3) 17 Eccentric message (4) 20 Care about tree (4) 23 Queen seen in banner (4) 24 Embellished or terribly neat (6) 25 Declamation about seafood (4) 26 Owing to student conflict (4) 27 Like a bird at the back (6)

DOWN

1 City can produce language (5) 2 Spin the first vase (4) 3 Reversible hub? (5) 4 Covering evil operation (4) 5 Ranted about being passionate (6) 6 Time to tear into fashion (5) 11 Rage about clothing (4) 13 Formerly in concert (4) 15 Random opportunity (6) 16 A room for a trophy (5) 18 Roam around after a smell (5) 19 Woman has space to finish (5) 21 Cancellation includes room (4) 22 Willing bird (4)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS 1 Epistle (6) 4 Immense (4) 7 Above (4) 8 Menace (6) 9 Unoccupied (4) 10 Leer (4) 12 Centre (4) 14 Signal assent (3) 16 Cigarette remains (3) 17 Stiff paper (4) 20 Ornamental maple (4) 23 Princess Royal (4) 24 Decorated (6) 25 Bivalve mollusc (4) 26 Contest (4) 27 Towards the rear (6) DOWN 1 Old school subject (5) 2 Rotate (4) 3 Helicopter part (5) 4 Shroud (4) 5 Fanatical (6) 6 Fad (5) 11 Cog (4) 13 On a single occasion (4) 15 Luck (6) 16 Honour (5) 18 Scent (5) 19 Lustre (5) 21 Prison chamber (4) 22 Pastime (4)