CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across

1. Second character gives, for a while, smooth mixtures (6)

4. American lady's men officiating at weddings (6)

9. Apparel for me, caught in shower before end of Lent (7)

10. It is beyond being in front (5)

11. Charges, understand, loudly being returned (4)

12. The black spot in Bligh’s mutiny (4)

13. What distinguishes ice from dice is an agreeable sign (3)

15. Of some stature, such a story is hard to believe (4)

16. A good hold, the right one being held by family doctor (4)

19. With a soft cloth pat the fish (3)

21. Court first of daughters – Olive, perhaps (4)

22. Piece for three to get around contents of 16 (4)

24. State had backing in ten, you see (5)

25. A couple go under like businesses: doubly so! (7)

26. Favouring one party, it's in the marshalling yard (6)

27. One who can't stand for himself is less obese (6)

▶ Down

1. Obviously not the utterances of a bearded man! (9,4)

2. Outstanding coal-workings involved in net disaster (7)

3. Colours the last of the brood? Certainly! (4)

5. Good man gives voice to words, but has difficulty doing so (8)

6. No longer there where food is concerned (5)

7. Instruction to bank: ‘Attention!‘ (8,5)

8. Details semi-polite writing (5)

14. Braked descent: not so fast! (4,4)

17. Our pin gets unsteady around fifty, so pinch it (7)

18. Silently say the words at one end of the river (5)

20. Last six months in bed, being imperial? (5)

23. Put skeleton in or take skeleton out! (4)