CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7 Have a breather, at the end, after a forward thrust (5)

8 Was about to be called into line, to have things put right (9)

10 Time for reflection, as in Alice through the Looking Glass (6)

11 Forces a learner to turn up in the open air (8)

12 Had little influence with some pretentious characters (8)

13 Many people had to start, although they were reluctant (4)

15 Have deep feelings about things in the future, say (7)

17 In turn, praised those who aimed to follow their dreams (7)

20 A girl’s hard to follow to get a 28 across (4)

22 First mate treated management when it was important (8)

25 Collapse in a mine indicates hidden dangers there (8)

26 Had to take old learners into a vehicle (6)

27 Worried about a business establishment having European destination, initially (9)

28 A large plate found in a Shetland croft (5)

DOWN

1 Take a chance, with little time to spare (3,2,4)

2 Did one egg on Vera to make others unhappy (8)

3 A Greek goddess had long days to work with town-criers (7)

4 A leading player put things in order for newspaper features (8)

5 Make an appearance in the wrong space, at the end (6)

6 Form at a high point, north of the Border, for the church (5)

9 Worry about some “full-proof ” retirement schemes (4)

14 Songs composed for a 11 across performance, at the end of the day (9)

16 Students who want to learn may qualify for grants for further study (8) 18 A dreamer had some notion to put on the table (8)

19 Gathered up a large amount for the boss, on paper (7)

21 Popular fellow had to perform. Indeed (2,4)

23 Had to use some sensitivity dealing with some in contact tracing (4)

24 About to leave a Spanish island in an old classic car (5)