QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Astronomical distance (6) 4 Animal’s appendage (4) 7 Eager (4) 8 Heed (6) 9 Defence measure (4) 10 Unwrap (4) 12 Sense (4) 14 Tavern (3) 16 Hive creature (3) 17 Opaque gem (4) 20 Be defeated (4) 23 Dash (4) 24 Argue (6) 25 Tinned food? (4) 26 Subscription payments (4) 27 Portable steps (6)

DOWN

1 Beat (5) 2 Flower (4) 3 Paddle boat (5) 4 Occasion (4) 5 Beautiful youth (6) 6 Dead language (5) 11 Entreaty (4) 13 Greek deity (4) 15 Narrate (6) 16 Merge (5) 18 Foot lever (5) 19 Transparent (5) 21 Responsibility (4) 22 Animal product (4)