CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Bad handling of game means mint is made from it (13) 9. Old sofa he made up to lie (9) 10. To have a binge like this is only human (5) 11. No sensible person takes a box to be a TV set (5) 12. Company lasting out with fond remembrance of past times (9) 13. How to put leek, stagger, and fall (4,4) 15. It reflects a British tabloid (6) 18. Name acquired by tree up for revision (6) 20. Naval craft that’s a smaller version of a Viking ship? (8) 23. Everlasting misery editor brought about with pin (9) 24. Porcelain may be used for such tea (5) 25. Behave boastfully, when five, to a relative (5) 26. Lacking grace, agent might take different line (9) 27. Boundary a part-time soldier will take with a dog (6,7)

DOWN

1. One noisily celebrating mark office made, nothing less (9) 2. Cross as a realist can be (7) 3. It’s about article written on hospital department (5) 4. Added up to having the first character up (8) 5. French is first led astray by the first-born (6) 6. Taking in necking too? (9) 7. The Northern boat one will set in action (7) 8. Sound reasoning forms the basis of computer operation (5) 14. One dealing in clothing might tote fruit around (9) 16. Instrument surgeon uses on a sort of muscle (9) 17. Gloomy gesture from the conductor (8) 19. How to agitate brute with public relations (7) 21. Making of paper models will go right: I aim to change it (7) 22. One can foresee how holy it will be (6) 23. How quietly prima donna shows up when she’s timid (5) 24. If it’s plain, it will vindicate one (5)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Hover 4. Handbag 8. Catchment area 10. Spell 11. Gust 12. Pupa 16. Exact 17. Kangaroo court 19. Trellis 20. Swear

Down 1. Hacking jacket 2. VAT 3. Rehash 4. Heeded 5. Nettle 6. Barbecued 7. Granddaughter 9. Insolence 13. Befall 14. Famous 15. Stocks 18. Use