CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 This conflict is demoralising (3,2,6) 9 A room high up (5) 10 Odd way to be in financial difficulties (5,6) 11 Out of bed and ready although distressed (5) 12 Having no inclination going straight up (8) 14 Moll is as confused in Cyprus (8) 15 Stuck her in mixed school (7) 17 The ache bothered fast runner (7) 20 It is not surprising now drone has been removed (2,6) 21 Single animal that’s inferior (3-5) 24 Strained in time (5) 25 Notice unresisting acceptance (11) 26 Relative coming from place in France, it is heard (5) 27 Where astronauts are grounded (4-2-5)

DOWN

2 Sailor to employ invective (5) 3 Open but covertly hidden! (5) 4 Single scone removed first from front of plane (4,4) 5 Rugby meeting arranged in a rustic manner (7) 6 Make wet through USA, treat differently (8) 7 Hotter issue about one living in another’s property for a while (5-6) 8 Amethyst Leo removed from mansion (7,4) 12 Doing some needlework (11) 13 Conservative footballer (5-6) 16 Having done the plastering, submitted an account (8) 18 Roue then transferred to this point (8) 19 Naturally it is a wearing process (7) 22 Ring road, one going to one Italian city (5) 23 With gusto attempted to trap animal (5)