CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Avoid involvement in mischief in a safe place (3,2,5,3) 10 Fall out, in good order, as part of a dramatic event (9) 11 In rehearsal, volley was more like a broadside (5) 12 In two directions, put to flight the first enemy on the way (2,5) 13 Have to inspect really ghostly apparition (7) 14 Was the landlord quite a character? (6) 16 Try to see over the north-east, in short, the day before (8) 18 Close to worker having right to a low alcohol drink ... (4-4) 20 ... and go first right to return to a cave (6) 23 Complete failure in a rain-soaked match (4-3) 24 Yearn to have a shot at pastime, we’re told (4,3) 26 Unqualified to be in a vacant post (5) 27 Odd to have first-class centre managed by a top counsel (9) 28 Find out how to make strings of pearls, and get the hang of it (5,3,5) DOWN 2 Head off to an evening meal in the top storey (5) 3 Wrong to employ one when worn-out (7) 4 Had to lie about, having showered (6) 5 Sign up on schedule, when on a roll (8) 6 Have a feeling the accused might be guilty (7) 7 Plot to parcel out workers on time (9) 8 When in peril, he took it out, getting a strong demand to vote (5-4-4) 9 Begin the procedure to join the police (4,4,5) 15 Start to lean across when having to explain things (9) 17 Authorise soldiers, at last, to wear uniform (8) 19 Find a suitable pad for a poor writer (7) 21 Manage to get in, to cause a collision (3,4) 22 Use a glass cover to grow plants, but keep it under your hat (6) 25 Correspond to a fault without end (5)