CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Gherkin, perhaps, to be cool as (8)

5. Senior NCO could give a hoot that’s not rough (6)

10. Dog that was rebellious in China? (5)

11. Halt car, an arrangement needed for the quack (9)

12. No spot changer changed ape with lord (7)

13. To be a go-between, supply drugs without carbon (7)

14. Snub gives the Sappers polish (6)

16. Reveal what’s strange in Scotland and very curtailed (7)

19. It’s an outrage to have been schooled by Sheridan (7)

21. Paces around with energy to make getaway (6)

25. Fruit trees as an alternative to white beet (7)

26. Took it easy getting the chop after fifty in the red (7)

28. Get through to writer and French with speed (9)

29. Serving last, gets nothing on court but it’s a handy thing (5)

30. Happen to see one gets it with the sack (6)

31. Flowers at 4pm? (3-5)

Down

1. Iced drinks? Fruit pies? Rubbish! (8)

2. Man in stern will tend his hair like a fop (7)

3. ‘Seas’ on the moon for her! (5)

4. Does get confused about copper currency in Europe (6)

6. Tuneful soul mode one composes (9)

7. Dismissed with fury for gross offence (7)

8. Feeling of emptiness of wartime German (half-German!) (6)

9. Ownership of vehicle claimed by Red (7)

15. Incredible fang tasty ice finishes off (9)

17. Bringer of sleep, the beach-guard? (7)

18. Principal not so decapitated (8)

20. Supplier of coir, firm repeatedly at the head (7)

22. An eleven-nil got you and me worried (7)

23. Nothing in the cup, and no turn-up for the voucher (6)

24. A slight wind blocks material builders use (6)

27. Like a king given over to drink (5)