CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,385

Across 1 To order cab is essential (5) 4 Shoe that’s in snakeskin (8) 8 Ian, bored, that could be carefree (8) 9 Takes in summer visitors (8) 11 Overweight boss is a fool (7) 13 One is well rid of it (3,6) 15 Just a footballer playing the game (15) 18 He doesn’t have to be smart to fool the birds (9) 21 The French prohibition on Middle East republic (7) 22 It should make a Mexican less hot-headed (8) 24 Liable to get broken English with unusual dialect (8) 25 Clothes for soldiers cleaning drains? (8) 26 Old aircraft, many of them flown by youngsters (5) Down

1 A blooming comfortable place to be (3,2,5)

2 Disposed to use bar, he vandalises (8)

3 Paper thrown at union meetings (8)

4 Has a damaging effect on a heavenly body (4)

5 Army officer with what may be an excuse for a dog (6)

6 List, with or without two opening items (6) 7 None of it is good, it’s said (4)

10 One might see flow in this game (8)

12 One can’t quite make up one’s mind to represent the rider (8)

14 She and Gary disastrously will make bloomers (10)

16 Ruddy good fellow, but not Oxbridge material (8)

17 Ample coming from British sailor and German worker (8)

19 Approaching resort of St Malo (6)

20 I grew agitated about a little pest (6)

22 One’s among lesser fellows (4)

23 Does translating into verse (4)