CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Very embarrassed courier may give one beans! (7,6)

9. Rough music from vicar, perhaps, playing about with ‘Hair’ (9)

10. Quick! Get shot of Father turning in! (5)

11. None excluded, never yet revealing (5)

12. A superstitious gesture that, joined, might be used for tinder ( 5,4)

13. While it lasts, proportions s seen in one demanding payment (8)

15. Exchange the Sea for one-nothing in cobalt, maybe (6)

18. Made night-sound recede backwardly in one that didn’t go off (6)

20. Theatrical type in favour of Mussolini, right? (8)

23. What Ms wears when Mrs, out as sure it might be (9)

24. Earthenware putting a finish to a facial feature (5)

25. Monarch having numbers on edge? (5)

26. She bullies me out of Grant, mate! (9)

27. 75% Sappers in the billets one finds for them (5-8)

DOWN

1. Having won, took the title (9)

2. Not being paid, a friend in the gold gets right at the end (7)

3. It’s not the clerics who make a song about it! (5)

4. Almost attempt deed that’s described by drawing (8)

5. One-off University, Queen’s? Only half! (6)

6. Towards the top of the globe throw Rand around (9)

7. Emotional bond left after a knock (7)

8. Went on to say one did one’s arithmetic (5)

14. Money-man finds wealth on right (9)

16. Never acts out his writing in Spain! (9)

17. Twice four, by mistake, make fussy decoration (4-4)

19. The brochure to reserve? Granted! (7)

21. The sort of weather to expect, Centigrade? 51, friend! (7)

22. Pay up and get a long sort of bench (6)

23. Light reveals church below hill (5)

24. Professorial appointment taken by one presiding (5)