CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Overcome opposition to do what you want (3,4,3,3)

10 At short notice, up to a point, can be flexible (9)

11 Top grade honour on line for capital theatre (5)

12 Former partner looks after one, and stretches it out (7)

13 Visit away from home to issue a challenge (4,3)

14 Head off parents to find some different people (6)

16 CIA takes steps to turn up with one on a flight from reality (8)

18 In a state of supreme happiness, left by the end in celestial bliss (8)

20 Appears anew at a 21 down, with no hesitation (6)

23 It's quite unjust to find that things have clouded over (3,4)

24 Begins to get up, and starts firing (5,2)

26 Working with a long line of people, we're told, at the right time (2,3)

27 Some 18 across bodies head off to start supplying parasols (9) 28 An animal had to refrain from acting as a

carrier (5,2,6)

DOWN

2 In the past, put on a performance, to be precise (5)

3 Head off one trying to tone things down more frequently (7)

4 It took me back to a detailed study on how to raise in relief (6)

5 The wrong group of players, at some stage, become dull (8)

6 Spirit returns to a girl, or a boy, having left adult behind with a plant (7)

7 Express regret over one pool taking ages to develop (9)

8 There's absolutely no activities in a nudist camp (4,7,2)

9 One side was in position, but failed to start the race (4,2,3,4)

15 At the core, long to experience anguish (9)

17 Did the RAF get close to turn up in the open air? (8)

19 After a long time, the Queen starts to supply rubbers ... (7)

21 ... and after one left 21 down, the Queen met a first-year student (7)

22 To talk informally with a friend takes the biscuit (6)

25 Creep up on a team on line (5)