CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

12 Would it open a deadlock? (8,3) 13 Social gathering — or where its non-attendants are? (6) 14 Lag, with skill, interior of container (6) 16 Turn quickly and trip (4) 17 Document proving one’s won the championship? (5,4) 18 Secure and bring back the components (5) 19 Long metal object with point on end (4) 20 Yell in your ear ‘Near miss!’ (5,4) 22 Stand by ‘British bird’ (5) 23 Is it obvious a falling-out has made him take action? (9) 27 Made to go ahead and act as compere (7) 30 And in sale, no English footwear (6) 31 After the half century, has gone all out to beat (4) 32 Hoarding shows ‘Meals provided’ (5) 35 Continue to look the wrong way (4) 36 A little squiggly line in the final section (4,3) 38 Small parasite — minute (4) 39 In France, you get a free trip round: an attraction (7) 42 Scratches small hearts on (6) 45 Determined to take little son to school (3,2) 46 It’s wrong to force to embrace. It’s wrong (7) 47 Late for early start, pop round (4) 48 What man called his high-maintenance wife? (4) 50 A firm ‘Clear off the boat!’ (7) 52 See, round about midnight, this form outside (5) 54 Almost all did, tardily, spread out (6) 56 Stop, parking again by the exit (7) 57 Understanding, on the quiet, do something (4) 59 Flying into the air: turbulent air (7) 61 Manage to put back in the pocket (4) 64 Car’s skidded at bottom of lane, giving a fright (5) 66 Hard, hard drinker imbibing a drink (4) 67 Agreed it’s badly d-d-done (6) 69 As question remained, that one wasn’t invited to put? (7) 72 Left in no doubt it was earned tax-free (4,5) 73 Is happy to be a female of indeterminate marital status (5) 74 Cool and calm, it’s gathered (9) 79 Piece of paper responsible for a dismissal, perhaps (4) 81 Cot here carrying a spare (5) 82 Can’t understand why you don’t notice (4,2,3) 83 At one point, sea storm does abate (4) 85 Guess Enid is roughly about four (6) 86 Retrogressive? No. It will take on, as an idea (6) 87 Good tips given vocally rather than written? (5,6)

DOWN

1 Leave out a container for the rubbish (4) 2 About fifty bollards, each one the same as the others (6) 3 Making a hissing sound, cat’s caught it, climbing (6) 4 This month everything will be put in position (7) 5 Included in one version, or not at all (5) 6 An artist’s pad? (6,4) 7 A small child consuming breakfast? (5) 8 Callous, male and naive (9) 9 He’s hard to persuade it’s bad to nurse cold (7) 10 Holding right foot up to wind round (4) 11 Fetching, being attracted by (5,3) 15 Notice that blood has been drawn and get angry? (3,3) 21 A great number are holding wrong end (5) 24 Went off on time and went at a fast pace (7) 25 The licence makes clear (6) 26 Large fitting in bags, or trousers (6) 28 Great to drink to the Queen (5) 29 Make the number up! (3) 33 Opening, I fuss ineptly about (7) 34 Fed up, at last stand up for (6) 37 Caught in the nude, dancing. Plonker (5) 40 Slate star performing with band in (5) 41 Bird dog will do so when it’s happy (7) 43 To applaud the Conservative, assembled here (5) 44 Back for a short time (6) 46 Thinks they’re sisters and mythical (5) 49 Retreat? Just the opposite (7) 51 Yell ‘Tuck behind in’, being astute (6) 53 It could give you a hangover. Not acute: small (6) 55 Hair grips (5) 58 Rookie given money at base (10) 60 Seventh letter in ‘intoxicant’ (3) 62 Part of a gun (5) 63 Ill-considered article about corporal punishment (9) 65 At a pinch, perhaps Al will stand in for father (8) 68 For an idiot, it’s hard to see sense (6) 70 Playing lob, gets more careless. A mistake (7) 71 Exhilarating or otherwise, availing oneself of (7) 75 General means of providing latitude (6) 76 Cold, go off — split (6) 77 He jilted the girl and that’s a fact (5) 78 Deign to rebuild demolished half of post office (5) 80 Two pence to get a look (4) 84 An item of wear, or clobber (4)