CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Maybe that family member supporting sister with nothing to hide (8,7)

9. Clipped dog that's made better all round (9)

10. Old Chinese coins left in sofa returned (5)

11. Those elected first to make demand (6)

12. At back of witch's place observe one authorised to receive money (8)

13. Name given to stranger who offers a cursory greeting? (6)

15. Likelihood of one looking for gold not finding it? (8)

18. Old bar staff taking candles across street (8)

19. Star is attractive but heartless, a “queen” (6)

21. Fellow with dog taken short hangs around good shrub (8)

23. Division brought by hesitation after thirty days (6)

26. Nothing written about sort of current needed for scientific apparatus (5)

27. Financial problem posed by brief season (9)

28. Awful stir: gent so irate makes complaint after bad meal? (15)

DOWN

1. Behaviour after game must preclude a row (7)

2. Primate is following God for the most part (5)

3. Doll maybe you distort finally, squeezing body parts (9)

4. Base in small community from which convict’s escaped (4)

5. Fastidiousness comes from editor stuck in room (8)

6. Unfashionable game generates cost (5)

7. Shout of approval accompanying flowering plants and shrubs (9)

8. Unfortunately, short answer to problem doesn't exist! (2,5)

14. Depression's limiting quiet individual, they’ll testify (9)

16. Hat, sort we use in storm? (9)

17. It's always cold, climbing — help not half needed when falling into it! (8)

18. Female voice raised when there's delay (4,3)

20. City developer redeveloping our slum (7)

22. Kitchen item stuffs centre of marrow with something very cold (5)

24. Publication shows discretion with writer's final piece included (5)

25. The present time offers zilch (4)