CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

4 Visible understanding? (7) 8 Wayward ladies become models (6)

9 He doesn’t believe in field organisation (7)

10 Small change? (6)

11 He counts and recounts (6) 12 Go through some poetry just to be obstinate (8)

18 Ancient writers made their point with it (8)

20 Fuss about the French in Spain (6)

21 Aptly, a service the abstainer takes comfort in! (3-3)

22 Sid gets mixed up in summaries (7)

23 Hundred and fifty always able (6)

24 They’re entitled to strike out (7)

DOWN

1 Steals the child while it sleeps? (7)

2 Goes off and finds another partner? (7)

3 Hackneyed description of some botanic lichens (6) 5 What one requires to complete the score (8)

6 It hangs about in the cold (6) 7 Inclined to have had shoe repairs? (6)

13 Journalist about to take a drink (8)

14 Letter for a girl I’ve finished (7)

15 Wrestle like boxers (7) 16 Observe it’s not frozen solid (6)

17 Revolting subjects (6) 19 Eagerly Len rummaged about in the locker (6)