SUPER CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

8 A young thing, ten about, playing (7) 9 What gave one a shock in the reptile house? (7)

11 When Miss Cook comes round? (6)

13 He has the he-cats set free outside: they’re wild (8)

15 The man I love turns out to be a woman (5)

16 Do a copy and take a time that’s ludicrous about it (7)

18 Mad to have laid a finger on (7)

19 It goes for a spin in the car (5) 21 Disruption the rescue from the well caused? (8)

23 Making an entrance with a horseshoeshaped cake (6)

25 Sour, you grant, though it should be sweet (7)

26 Set free the horses I hunt, out by the church (7)

28 Left for us, which is rather mean (2,3,4,4)

DOWN

2 A deer? No: it’s a child (7)

3 People waiting, we’re told, for a signal (3) 4 Tripe on a table (4)

5 They’re cold and the walk is a circuitous one (5,5)

6 The name is Bird (Laurence Edward?) (5) 7 A terrible crook ensconced in a country settlement (7)

8 “A red, I’m sure” convinced one (4,2,5) 10 The thrush flies into the long grass as you quickly pass along (4,7)

12 I’m leaving for France (5)

14 In the end is off centre, which does depress one (10)

17 A variation of “4” in the channel (5) 18 Hear about the number captured in a city abroad (7)

20 Having been patient when one discussed terms (7)

22 A building raised for Mohammedan worshippers (5)

24 Land upside-down in a bucket (4) 27 Whose hand is on it? (3)