Double Crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

4. Drinks lacking body? (7) 8. An egg I scramble, obviously not new-laid (6) 9. Floor covering getting tangled up (7) 10. They are barred for natives (6) 11. Was abusive, yet guarded? (6) 12. Bill going to a parson is correct (8) 18. It’s not a close-up, you can bet on it! (4,4) 20. Detonated explosive, but not convicted (3,3) 21. Back numbers at a musical performance (6) 22. It enhances an auctioneer’s standing (7) 23. Possibly chants a fragment of song (6) 24. One millimetre seen differently as unusually large (7)

QUICK CLUES Across

4. Clothing (7) 8. Harmony (6) 9. Skill (7) 10. Captivate (6) 11. Disregard (6) 12. Widespread disease (8) 18. Drift (8) 20. Arctic Indian (6) 21. Usual (6) 22. Include (7) 23. Abaft (6) 24. Under (7)

Down

1. Lines of communication (7) 2. He’s much smarter than his mate (7) 3. He may spend hours on the end of a line (6) 5. Writer about to approve a colour (3,5) 6. Keep your thanks in check (6) 7. Offer to be compassionate (6) 13. No varieties in the numbers crawling (3,5) 14. As a wine it comes up to a blend of china (7) 15. Diplomat with a devotedly sober yearning (7) 16. It’s put through to improve the situation about class (6) 17. Fashion that is going out (6) 19. A reason for holding sports, perhaps (6)

Down

1. Pacify (7) 2. Scorn (7) 3. Consolation (6) 5. Inn-keeper (8) 6. Sick (6) 7. Complete (6) 13. Car-driver (8) 14. Foes (7) 15. Hurricane (7) 16. On land (6) 17. Small (6) 19. Sleepy (6)