BARE BONES

WIN A COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS SET, AND A BRADFORD’S CROSSWORD SOLVER’S DICTIONARY

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away.

Across

1 Topple from French position 4 Use of needle can cause pain 10 Are able, thanks to volunteers getting a piece 11 Public speaking has nothing to share 12 Lied about a store of food 13 Loans arranged at the hairdresser’s 14 The advantage of a border 15 Submissive, yours truly, by second half of journey 16 Demonstrating skill, having left some pottery 17 The German vehicle initially has some fuel 21 Vitamin can change role on the outside 22 Advice from local authority, by the sound of it 23 Wild capers produce a tricky situation 24 Hearing about losing tail – a painful condition

Down

1 Gambled diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds 2 Hesitation after directors defeat repair man (Two words) 3 Layer of coal in same form 5 What managed to defrost? 6 She, say, is yet another individual (Two words) 7 Reaching extremes, having to depend 8 Criticise a woman having time for a cigar 9 Fight bureau to get commercial success (Two words) 15 Extra serious start for conventions 18 House makes Virginia sick inside 19 Break a game of cards 20 Youngster with energy to get into shape