YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

Across: 3 On the wane; 8 Ever; 9 Getting on; 10 Paired; 11 Cheer; 14 Offer; 15 Rein; 16 Swiss; 18 Ivan; 20 Large; 21 Piece; 24 Animal; 25 Right back; 26 Unit; 27 News flash.

Down: 1 Net profit; 2 Relief map; 4 Need; 5 Hatch; 6 Winger; 7 Noon; 9 Gears; 11 Chide; 12 Reprimand; 13 In reality; 17 Slink; 19 Nights; 22 Cabal; 23 Fine; 24 Aces.

ACROSS

Operatic heroine many imitate (5)

The last form of secrecy (7)

The French I hurt, but only in fun (7)

A piece of cake? But not to a pilot’s liking (5)

10. The others go to sleep (4)

11. Being of true race perhaps (8)

13. African goes back into space (4)

14. Something afoot when she holds a ring (4)

16. Put into water and simmered, perhaps (8)

17. Transport will be back at eleven (4)

20. Hesitantly stated a colour and was wrong (5)

21. Unmasked once one asked questions (7)

22. One star turn nobody applauds (7)

23. It moves the helicopter backwards and forwards (5) 1. 4. 8. 9.

DOWN

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Important event – concerning an army officer? (5,8) He broke all the commandments (5) Bill turned in a murderer (4) Doesn’t allow bitterness to remain (6) Not the happiest inscriptions? Yet they could be (8) One must be free to enjoy it (7) 7. He takes the lot (7,6) 12. Pals in the Trade Unions? (8) 13. Some err badly and show regret (7) 15. Cut north from the river (6) 18. Tessa came up with something useful (5) 19. Fight, probably rigged (4)