SUPER CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Do they steal a march? (4,2,7)

8 “Did writhe in pain” is mere verbiage (7) 9 Does help with the housework, but needs prompting (5,2)

11 Gave out about in French, to get back at (6)

13 Intends, too, to bring in soldiers (8)

15 So when there’s money about, returns and pries (5)

16 Very interested, indeed, I examine the coloured shade (7)

18 Pant? (7)

19 The blue masks we cut (5)

21 For the parents, endeavours to provide food (8)

23 First, circle back round the pub (6) 25 Drop by the dog’s head, a little bone (7) 26 The result of the leakage? (7)

28 How lip-readers read, it is said (2,4,2,5)

DOWN

2 One’s speech shows which part of the country one comes from (7)

3 He goes back to start of the Christian era (3)

4 Weeds are bores! (4)

5 How the midwife gets her cash? (2,8) 6 Save about one pound, it’s established (5)

7 Come back again with snow-water (7) 8 As the opposite of “lovely and bright”, that’s ludicrous! (5,6)

10 Double over! (4,3,4)

12 With enthusiasm, man takes to it (5) 14 Tried to locate mine (10)

17 He composed “A Street In France”, you write (5)

18 How you spoke when tried? (7)

20 Not having on the exterior (7)

22 He has nothing to add to the list (5) 24 The animal returned well (4)

27 In addition, a figure, say (3)