The BIG crossword
ACROSS
8 Marked for death or end of arrangement (4,3) 9 Does one stand out from the rest of the cast in it? (5,4) 13 Would give a great deal to hear (5) 14 A dear item in the mason’s yard (5) 15 Step outside the pub to see the boat (7) 16 Worry about nothing ourselves; just have a good time (7) 17 Assumed it’s turned down (3,2) 18 Attacked when returning the keys (3,2) 20 Force to take to (5) 22 Go on telling you what’s been happening (6) 23 Are given stick about having yelled (6) 25 The dope got his in a mess (7) 27 Were surrounded by fish and were clearly frightened (7) 30 Manages successfully to get fluctuations in (6) 31 Booze bottle (6) 32 Regard as a duty (5) 35 It’s an insect, child, on the tree (5) 36 Classifies as seconds – there’s a hole right inside (5) 37 Someone wearing uniform and an overall (7) 39 The smoke will get in your hair (7) 41 May force (5) 42 Picture that’s framed in “21” (5) 43 Stopping to make a call when the others go inside (9) 44 Say the chaps have got into trouble (7)
DOWN
1 “Hat,” not “bat” (6) 2 What you need if you’re sick of working? (4,4) 3 To cheat, take passage both ways (6-5) 4 From the days of the Evangelist, just awaits developments (5,4) 5 React when the person goes off key (7) 6 Makes one realise one inflicts on the family, too (6,4) 7 Circus performer got up as a pixie (4) 10 Caught in the drain, went off and it’s bad (6) 11 Order to get rid of (7) 12 Was inclined to erect a home on the open ground (6) 19 In the run-up, people pester one (7) 21 Think it’s a trap and I myself skirt it (7) 24 Had amassed, when they met (3,8) 26 Arrogant, though complying with the gunman’s instructions (4-6) 28 Meant somehow to catch, going back into the home (9) 29 Agrees to convert on the quiet, as forecast (7) 30 Propose that you subject yourself to (6) 32 Investigated thoroughly when one had a prang (4,4) 33 Let wander inside, had been stopped by (6) 34 Says to confiscate the royal possessions (7) 38 Try to talk out of – with justification (6) 40 Would you like to look after? (4)