TWO-WAY TEASER

Two sets of clues but the answers are the same

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Carlos, the crazy one, can’t hear! (5,4) 8 It’s at the centre of all romances! (5) 9 Fox about the North seen in yard (7) 11 Sporting line about to be put in lawsuit (6) 12 Fix a river in quantity of fluid (7) 13 Even now I don’t know what this creature is! (4) 14 Operation to protect a senior citizen (3) 17 Not the sound of tailless coot! (3) 18 A number over graph line (4) 21 I’ll bequeath things with hostility (3,4) 23 Being in a pub should satisfy it! (6) 24 It’ll check what fits in bottle (7) 25 Went fast, for example, over mountains (5) 26 Salesman has to resent having to stand for someone (9)

DOWN

2 Remain in hiding though deception’s finished (3,2) 3 Muscle attachment – there’s number on fellow (6) 4 Put on a couple of pence as before (3) 5 Terribly rash writer has to make things incisive (7) 6 You need supporter if an act is complex (7) 7 Material for knitted mail, presumably (5,4) 10 Split payment for accommodation (4) 12 Act after a fight and order to reverse direction (5,4) 15 Is he willing to wait for treatment? (7) 16 I bet I’ll follow him! (7) 19 A fool is left in bed (4) 20 Ship can absorb clean blows (6) 22 Deception at home achieves a lazy morning! (3-2) 24 Dad’s knocked back juice (3)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 One with difficulty hearing (5,4) 8 Central/innermost part (5) 9 Conventional name for a fox (7) 11 A wrinkle (6) 12 To assign to a post (7) 13 Abominable snowman (4) 14 Retired person (3) 17 Cry of dove (3) 18 Centre of rotation (4) 21 Bad feeling (3,4) 23 Craving for a drink (6) 24 Bung (7) 25 Chain of mountains (5) 26 Stand for (9)

DOWN

2 Become next to (3,2) 3 Sinew (6) 4 Say further (3) 5 Give a point to (7) 6 Ardent fan (7) 7 Metal fibres used as an abrasive (5,4) 10 Payment made by tenant (4) 12 Act of pivoting 180 degrees (5,4) 15 Doctor’s client (7) 16 Racetrack tout (7) 19 A stupid person (4) 20 Steals (6) 22 Stay in bed until late (3-2) 24 Deplete (3)