BLANKOUT

A crossword you construct yourself, adding the answers and the blanks as you go. The clues are in sets of one, two, three or four guiding you to one, two, three or four words in each line (across) or column (down) indicated at the beginning of each set of clues. Each complete word has a blank at its beginning and end (unless it’s at the edge of the grid). Blanks are arranged symmetrically. To help you, we’ve given you a start with the answer to the clue on Line 8 – ‘On your guard’ – which yields the word ‘Alert’. This must sit in the centre of the line to preserve the symmetry.

ACROSS

1 Spur; Look at 2 Chum, friend 3 Popular card game; Gist 4 Sphere; Tear (open) 5 Proof of purchase 6 Long saga; Flower jar 7 Animal’s den; Pip 8 On your guard 9 Make better; Swimming competition 10 Under siege 11 For what purpose?; Rowing implement 12 Narrator, raconteur 13 As well; Submissive, docile 14 Lay on food 15 Workstation; Low in pitch 16 Duo; Let fall 17 Trap 18 Regret; Wine container 19 Cereal grain; Escape 20 Pester 21 Grilled (bread); Make an unduly high offer

DOWN

A Earnings; Theatrical producer; Perfectionist C Cook slightly in water; Bottomless pit; Plight D Power line; Cosmetic lotion E Hourglass; Official proclamation F Anger; Estimate G Secret agent; Objective H Dish up (food); Intestine; Deride, mock I Aged; Inner self J Culinary pulveriser; Pantry K Collared garment; Delete L Brink; Implant M Tyre that is used again; Revere intensely; Saying O Run out; Spicy seasoning; Put in a container