FRIDAY CROSSWORD

Across

1 He is officer getting drunk – what’s the drink? (5,6)

10 Home pet, terribly clumsy (5)

11 Singer in incomplete command, needing to hold key (9)

12 Daughter is taking time – in that there is no shame (9)

13 A hundred hurry – there’s this danger with stampede (5)

14 Hurry to engage trendy French dramatist (6)

16 A learner with aim to get into vehicle for a series of dates (8)

18 Recommend veto, a cad needing to be dealt with (8)

20 Important Arab severe, no end, with condition laid down (6)

23 No fabric for putting around a bit of wood? (5)

24 Big river or little one gone arid unfortunately (3,6)

26 King Baddy in simplistic story (9)

27 Linger as husband left after others have gone? (5)

28 Hemmed in by youngsters, great man falls apart, broken (11)

Down

2 Grasses about to meet newspaper folk? (5)

3 Strike is upsetting local community – 500 involved (3-4)

4 Two firms operating in a secure environment (6)

5 Enjoyment before almost everyone becomes gloomy (8)

6 Not all hear a cheer – a problem for some listeners (7)

7 More helpful, having reformed strange facilities for youngsters (13)

8 Struggle as a swimmer in the sea (8)

9 Ornamental material revealed by girl’s mum (6-2-5)

15 Female gang to afflict Midlands city (8)

17 What sounds like excellent university in Scotland (8)

19 Dog outside hospital department, a beast seemingly half human (7)

21 Difficult to deal with that topless ‘nutcase’ (4,3)

22 Dad and I heard comic sailor (6)

25 Soldier ultimately quits on promotion? Under no circumstances! (5)