CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. At which one misunderstands aims one will go over first (5,8)

9. Old English beverage knitters find soft and fine (5,4)

10. I am entering first motorway to Florida resort (5)

11. How to melt a substance such as lead (5)

12. Mischievous adventures with Ace (Spades) perhaps (9)

13. Became liable for run, and cried about it (8)

15. It has its count, coming from the anthers (6)

18. Repeat performance once ordered by the Sappers (6)

20. Biography is extended from cradle to grave (8)

23. In which to note a crew member small in stature (9)

24. Younger son acted in a strange way (5)

25. Objects in wood to enter differently (5)

26. She is beloved of a tar: Naomi, it might be (9)

27. If one’s patient they may put one out (13)

DOWN

1. Harlequin’s love of a flower (9)

2. It’s about gradual absorption of cost: I’m making nothing of it (7)

3. The fibre in oats is alimentary (5)

4. Still in bud, but up: no need for it (8)

5. Force one to be held by non-u couple maybe (6)

6. An army way of signalling to a sailor? (9)

7. Malicious gossip youngsters turn up about half the Dominion (7)

8. A spinster who’s out of order (5)

14. Hope made it a romantic place (9)

16. Drinks that went to the head of retiring people (9)

17. A lark with a tub featured in the garden (8)

19. Nothing Rachel could do about this disease (7)

21. Trials or business transactions (7)

22. Tooth decay that is present in saloons (6)

23. Places for building tourist attractions, one is told (5)

24. A nail one can hit hard (5)