daily double

the hard way

ACROSS

1 Queer togs strangely incongruous (9) 8 Doctor to die in agony having no water left (5) 9 It’s said wildly in a row to show contempt (7) 10 One is about a month in arrears. Agree? (6) 11 Cross at having ancient European in charge (6) 12 Computer equipment difficult to wear out (8) 15 Kindly feeling not hard to place (4,4) 18 Ladies who reform become perfect examples (6) 20 Place to meet after a drive (6) 21 Attractive alternative to losing all the matches (7) 22 Money is a bait that takes many in (5) 23 Close relations in The Guards perhaps (9)

DOWN

2 Beams are said to be put up (5) 3 Hitherto why boys may want to meet girls (2,4) 4 Puts chit out for repair (6,2) 5 Possibly deduce it’s extracted (6) 6 Free translation of braille (7) 7 The followers stand here when assembled (9) 11 He painted pictures of the country policeman (9) 13 Withdrawing again losing interest (8) 14 Transgression produces resentment (7) 16 So accustomed to being in a pickle (6) 17 Unusual Eastern taste shown in china service (3,3) 19 Spirit rises after the French animal appears (5)

the easy way

ACROSS

1 Sharp-sighted (5-4) 8 Rejoice triumphantly (5) 9 Ruthlessly competitive struggle (3,4) 10 Convert into reality (6) 11 Tentative suggestion (6) 12 Mixture of diverse elements (8) 15 Dregs (8) 18 Plod doggedly (6) 20 Coy (6) 21 Opening (7) 22 Recoil in pain (5) 23 Reduce in status (9)

DOWN

2 Become less intense (5) 3 Imperious (6) 4 Surround (8) 5 Expose falsity of (6) 6 Violent lawless person (7) 7 Painting of inanimate objects (5,4) 11 Misleadingly hopeful sign (5,4) 13 Begin to understand (6,2) 14 Resistant to all persuasion (7) 16 Clearly noticeable (6) 17 Gather together (6) 19 Splendid (5)