CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Did a writer run off to marry girl before a “pit stop”? (8) 5 Leading capitalist tried to produce confidence (6) 9 In unimportant trial, time lost was most amusing (8) 10 Entertained by a poetic inspiration to get first degree (6) 11 Copy illustration, for example (8) 13 Was handed down on track in front of a trainee (6) 14 and 21 Managed to take a boy on a spree. On a boat, perhaps? (6) 16 Individual players, in short, came back with issue (6) 19 Left-winger captured old leader in an impoverished state (7) 20 Is ready to take 15 down for a piece of furniture (6) 21 See 14 across 26 Old queen had a top lord to give her more strength (6) 27 Go in late, upsetting some diplomats (8) 28 Virginia was taken in by a relative, but told to move on (6) 29 Get some handouts from a big ship, at the end (8) 30 Close to turn-about, so has to grin and bear it (6) 31 Was about to ring a little boy, but cancelled (8) DOWN 1 European police officer on line is hard to follow (6) 2 If not fully engaged, turned out to be given a hard time (6) 3 Admits rental agreement was wrong, at the end (4,2) 4 Provoke a pain in the neck, with little hesitation (6) 6 About to upset maiden who stayed behind (8) 7 Girls took writers, at the end, to hand out drugs (8) 8 Current area might be under water at times (8) 12 As usual, expected to be reasonable. It’s only logical (7) 15 and 16 Start to play, hearing about the home of the brave (6) 17 Might get away, with short notice of a jaunt (8) 18 Recognised established criterion as fundamental (8) 19 Advance fee paid to ensure employment of valued servant (8) 22 Cross, in reverse, and turn down (6) 23 Had little time to drop a line with difficulty (6) 24 May fail to spot a long type of prayer book (6) 25 It’s a new legal transaction, in fact (6)