WEDNESDAY’S SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1 Cesspit, 5 Skidlid, 9 Crab apple, 10 Sable, 11 Détente, 12 Raffles, 13 Contradiction, 18 Absolute proof, 20 Homages, 23 Licence, 25 Lance, 26 Actualise, 27 Retinol, 28 Dessert.

DOWN: 1 Cicada, 2 Spartacus, 3 Plain, 4 Top secret, 5 Smear, 6 Ipso facto, 7 Libel, 8 Dressing, 14 Nile green, 15 Depilated, 16 Infantile, 17 Bachelor, 19 Defeat, 21 Monet, 22 Shawl, 24 Class. Prizeword: Drainer