Giant Crossword

Across

9 A tense ‘You’ll find no faults in me’ (9) 10 Lists the duck among ‘Domestic Birds’ (8) 12 They ensure the packet reaches its destination safely (4)

13 Has a sullen look that gets one down (6) 14 They’re why it wriggles and shifts about (7) 15 Signal meaning the pastry is excellent (4,5) 17 Am more perturbed about and make notes (9) 18 Point the tear out in the clothing (7) 20 Thinking the twit is about to do something wrong (6)

21 At this point the top came off again (4) 24 Is one’s tailor, which helps to bring about (5,3)

26 June is soon here - with insects (8)

28 The scoundrel will follow close behind (4) 29 Was curious, indented the point and levered it up (6)

31 The talk of many a mad person (7)

34 A kind letter (9)

36 Leaves in a hurry as he’s coming in to remove (6,3)

38 Again out to shock with what one’s wearing (7)

39 Preferable for any customer of the bookie’s (6)

40 They don’t sound like jays flying about in the garden (4)

41 ‘About painting’, I snap unfairly,

‘is biased’ (8)

42 Being recorded as, in one’s descent (5,4)

Down

1 Find, when you cancel the insurance on? (8) 2 A couple of pages are defaced, it would seem (6)

3 Begged to be and tried to (8) 4 Turning, stands right in the way (6) 5 Goes on the page before, one supposes (8) 6 So far as I’m concerned, it’s why I have a wallet (3,2,5)

7 Standing, say, for about half an hour (7) 8 Had used the club when constrained to (6) 11 Am a shade put out about and sheepish (7) 16 The conductor said the singers will perform them (6)

19 Snap is the one game that’s different (5) 20 Docking the horse’s tail would disfigure it (3)

22 Neck and neck the time after in the race (5) 23 Stick to - or part with (6) 25 A very good start to one’s career as a teacher (5-5) 26 Furious, the horse reared (3) 27 The dog and cat performed in it with the Indian (7)

30 Dance with the girl to an orchestra (8)

31 Realised she’d been caught by the murderer (6,2) 32 Turning down or putting the lights out again (8) 33 Orange-red vehicle the Tory is driving (7)

35 Pop back to ring and plead with (6)

36 Spot the date of birth - very old, indeed (6)

37 Go on ramblingly about being in a state (6)