CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

2. Choose decisively for the rounded figure (5) 5. Improvised accompaniment for a female seducer (4) 7. Gives me widgeon or sea duck to hold (4) 8. Money − almost a cent − made in Indian food (8) 9. Hot but, like the Venus de Milo, it won’t hurt one (8) 11. Youngster takes in nothing but what he can carry (4) 12. Celebs whose response I tail in such a way (13) 15. The reason for having energy in the watery part of milk (4) 17. Trying to get money from somebody may be pathetic (8) 19. Cryptlike burial place might combat a first sign of cholera (8) 21. Start believing in 21 Down to be square on six sides (4) 22. Unfermented grape juice will almost put a batsman out (4) 23. Jack takes king to the middle of the wheel (5)

DOWN

1. See how things agree with old politician taken into care (7) 2. Half an American fruit animal will put to ground (3) 3. His brother or sister is not childless (5) 4. Study of Lima’s country by little Sarah (7) 5. Be in contention with English after six (3) 6. Medical officer takes tea or coffee – that’s fine (5) 10. It is not clear if it’s put out in my holding (5) 11. Fastening for door made of carbon in strip of wood (5) 13. Grid the retiarIus was engaged in (7) 14. To make one a lord is, among men, no blessing (7) 16. He takes to painting a beater (5) 18. One left central Italy with a shadow (5) 20. Narrow projecting part of weapon (3) 21. Soundly line up a twist of hair (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Ship’s biscuit 8. Omission 9. Zinc 11. Nasal 12. Caption 13. Tape 15. Well 19. Sceptic 20. Clang 22. Ewer 23. Bibulous 24. Pitter-patter Down 2. Heirs 3. Pestle 4. Broach 5. Utilise 6. Technologist 7. Going to sleep 10. Spy 14. Pretext 16. Sty 17. Scrimp 18. Occult 21. Above