Crossword Puzzle

Solution next week

Across

1 The rapier’s broken? Here’s how to fix it (6) 7 Fussy eaters regret using spice (8) 8 Or to demand malt is only human (6) 9 Born to vault with the ultimate result (8) 10 One that’s a sucker for fish (6) 11 A rust appears in tea when you soak it (8) 14 Protects us when fed up finally showing little hesitation (8) 18 It will spoil the spirit when you come to the edge (6) 19 A natural tendency to put it in one’s diet (8) 21 Devotions held but in no nave (6) 22 In the past Lena had such an agreeable manner (8) 23 Aliens require a lot of salt (6)

Down

1 Said casually that the maker put red with it (8) 2 No! I return to perform and get something done (6) 3 Let out again and finally freed (8) 4 Penalty paid for being of a sunny disposition? (4) 5 A goat is seen in the dairy (6) 6 Pour it off in early December for your little one (6) 12 Tom gets stern when someone annoys him (8) 13 Need to eat and have tea but you’ve no teeth? (8) 15 Drives out after having almost slept at a marked spot (6) 16 I stay in place and write heroically (6) 17 The old king found love only to behave in a servile manner (6) 20 You have to wear a hat in this part of America (4)