CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Is not well, yet could have fun with sex appeal (5)

4. Stretch forth and send it out to start dinner (7)

8. German woman started deliberate deception (5)

9. A smile’s crooked, there being no point to it (7)

10. A strike-breaker would rather do without a female (3)

11. It draws out car, or text written about it (9)

12. Destroys the objects aimed at (4)

13. Lean upon a bath that’s been put back (4)

18. To torment one with a talent is a different form of it (9)

20. A whole lot of animals allowed back into the boozer (3)

21. Pass night in open air and turn Vic about endlessly (7)

22. Give one a turn with an artist in the market-place (5)

23. Signs on the street in waving lines (7)

24. Is prepared to study at the beginning of the year (5)

DOWN

1. It is always with one, fortune, let bag go as it may (13)

2. Ate largely of fat, seed being distributed (7)

3. In getting knotted, I’d made it neat (6)

4. Money orders may be fat among medical men (6)

5. Weller would harshly review craft in China (6)

6. In preference choose to pick top off (5)

7. Unrestricted credit in a rosy arrangement (13)

14. Rocket-launcher showing A-Z in a 19 coming to a finish (7)

15. Thinks a lot of us having minced veal (6)

16. Odd bits and chessmen, perhaps (6)

17. Betake oneself to it to mend it (6)

19. A book for Christmas, when about five (5) CHRISTMAS EVE SOLUTION

Across: 1. Contretemps 8. Right 9. Matters 10. Natural

11. Annoy 12. Toddle 14. Defers 18. Power 19. Officer

21. Compère 23. Imago 24. Waywardness

Down: 1. Coronet 2. Negated 3. Rotor 4. Temple 5. Methane

6. She 7. Dusty 13. Larceny 15. Enclave 16. Serious

17. Bodega 18. Pecan 20. Fried 22. Maw