daily double

the hard way ACROSS

1 Needed to get even if a rival gets in first blow? (6,4) 8 Cruel fluctuation in money (5) 9 Make way? (7) 10 A woman cries raucously outside - totally nuts! (7) 11 I shall be among the French here (5) 12 Reply some Americans were hoping for (6) 14 It helps an actor to have fun in a small part (6) 17 Widespread issue of currency (5) 19 Show great keenness then become upset by a custom (7) 21 Learned of a rite due for revision (7) 22 He flies - and can also navigate (5) 23 An impressive thing to wear (6,4)

DOWN

2 Pardons and releases (7) 3 Nothing disturbs bees like being overweight (5) 4 Fed up; work to get rid of the cause of tension (6) 5 Upset a journalist not a jot narrow-minded (7) 6 A bit of exercise? (5) 7 A blockade that should pay dividends (10) 8 Their union offers security (4,3,3) 13 Regains composure eliminating a bad impression (7) 15 Muddled girl takes nothing up (7) 16 Cut over a quarter? That’s serious (6) 18 Coarse types confuse love with lust (5) 20 It’s light and narrow (5)

the easy way ACROSS

1 Not original (10) 8 Person of priggish modesty (5) 9 Bad character in play, story etc. (7) 10 Obvious (7) 11 Cook by exposing to dry heat (5) 12 Come to light (6) 14 A set-up (6) 17 Symbol (5) 19 A distinct part (7) 21 An awakening (7) 22 Crookedly (5) 23 Done with minimal time left (4-6)

DOWN

2 Difficult to catch (7) 3 Very fat (5) 4 Dedicate (6) 5 Feeling of antipathy (7) 6 Tensely exciting event (5) 7 Imminently (3,4,3) 8 Modern (7-3) 13 The origin (7) 15 A trifling ornament (7) 16 An inviolable refuge (6) 18 Hillock (5) 20 Sequence (5)