WEE THINKER

Across

1 Manner to compel military group (3,5) 5 Walk like a policeman? (4) 9 School game (5) 10 Split makes baker terribly cheerful (5-2) 11 Furious woman flipped lid (4) 12 Fascinate on the way in (8) 14 Having a go can be annoying (6) 15 Main design for plates (6) 18 Base friend has wild steed (8) 20 Chills diamonds at school (4) 23 Flour transformed to a repast (7) 24 Conscripted elves have to dig (5) 25 Confer, naturally, about bush (4) 26 At home, would often be engaged (8)

Down

1 Weapon causes a right argument (5) 2 Chap finds friend in a majestic way (7) 3 Stone, only without large cross (4) 4 Islanders are heels (6) 6 Enjoy new match (5) 7 Empty rental in deep

trouble (7) 8 Hide directions to island

(7) 13 A need is developing for

fennel, perhaps (7) 14 Alerts that ends are

missing (4,3) 16 Kept in vinegar and drunk

(7) 17 Force everyone to take

on a lot to drink (6) 19 Put off animal, with time (5) 21 Set out to get journalist a horse (5) 22 Updo that is on cartoon dog (4)

Across

3 Personnel (5) 9 Pantry (6) 10 Eagerness, zeal (6) 11 Shinbone (5) 12 Plimsoll, for example (4) 15 Market or exchange (6) 17 Ordinary, dull (7) 19 Male offspring (3) 20 Gasps (5) 22 Upright in position or posture (5) 24 Raising agent (5) 25 Linked railway carriages (5) 27 Someone’s favourite (3) 29 Artificial (3-4)

32 Skilful, dexterous (6) 34 Fat used in cooking (4) 35 Pick-me-up (5) 37 As well (2,4) 38 Loudness (6) 39 Take up again (5)

Down

1 Poker hand (5) 2 Implement for sweeping (5) 3 Harden (3) 4 Stumble (4,2) 5 Just, impartial (4) 6 Physical or moral weakness (7) 7 Toy for girls (5) 8 Inert gas (5) 13 Performed with great haste (7)

14 Decree (5) 16 Lean cut of beef (7) 18 Axiom (5) 21 Appears (5) 23 Judas (7) 26 Indigenous (6) 27 Adhesive (5) 28 Clan (5) 30 Bode (5) 31 Anaesthetic (5) 33 Carry (4) 36 Farm animal (3)