CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 A letter to Ruth from Vera (5) 6 Pools entries made by writing (5) 9 Rich source of advice to lubricate thoroughly (3,4) 10 Shot round the bend with a loud cry (5) 11 Dramatic statement of new ideas (5) 12 Piece of bread, possibly to follow the fish (5) 13 It serves a shady purpose (7) 15 As sent when there’s a bit of a hole in a ship? (3) 17 As opposed to Windsor or Harrow (4) 18 Bad finger resulting from a cut? (6) 19 Stayed sound and sober (5) 20 Numerous attractive men have large amounts (6) 22 Just me going at half fare (4) 24 Garden tool or key to the house (3) 25 In dishonest trade, it’s wrong to be thus dressed (7) 26 Store not open to the public (5) 27 Get away with an injured foot? (3,2) 28 So Sue’s upset, being in a pickle! (5) 29 Customers with little money – about £1 (7) 30 Gave damages to the impecunious? (5) 31 Stories, say, possibly about the navy (5)

DOWN

2 To warm up yesterday’s food can make her scoff! (6) 3 Possibly out to preserve an exotic bird (6) 4 Hard at it, you won’t be missing anything (3) 5 One way to get sick is to booze (5) 6 Notice given by authority on a piece of pasteboard (7) 7 Alternatively, stewed eels (4) 8 One not merely pettish, but dangerous! (3,3) 12 You aren’t really well out of them (5) 13 Sit and fish (5) 14 Abnormal, like a forgetful elephant? (5) 15 Show contempt of an outof-the-way visionary (5) 16 How a Swede possibly did needlework (5) 18 Taxingly relevant part of April (5) 19 One knocked down in an alley? (7) 21 But in time, no great credit? (6) 22 Being typically yellow, many aim so badly! (6) 23 Why arson is terrible out East (6) 25 Tree used wild apes at the end of the garden (5) 26 Ill provided with some basic knowledge? (4) 28 Tasty? No thanks – it’s dirty! (3)