CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

8 Was a prudish girl just like another? (8)

9 It’s hard to get a right line to follow the plough (6)

10 Had to pitch tents to map out eastern North Carolina, at first (6)

11 Assume it’s true in a gym class. It’s quite fitting (8)

12 Might gentle characters inherit everything? (4)

13 Make a popular settlement, in spite of some hesitation (10)

15 Brigades forced to lose one out of river crossings (7)

17 Casual workers embrace the French places of worship (7)

20 In essence, a new church shows its real value (10)

22 Celestial bodies depicted in pieces of royal regalia (4)

24 Girl who carried little weight had to give notice (8)

26 Rush round in a road race with some force (6)

27 Show remorse, with apologies, in all conscience (6)

28 Seen to tidy up in the north-east across the Border (8)

DOWN

1 Pincer movement used by sovereign (6) 2 Boarded a small sailing ship in the eastern Mediterranean, in short (8)

3 Praise a sound contingent that’s at full strength (10)

4 Counts on judges to pass on their best wishes (7)

5 Both taps working, helping to cut things into pieces (4)

6 Give little credit to one son, twice, in an emergency (6)

7 Delay the use of mail (and phone). It’s not hard (8) 14 Was a darling girl kind, in the end? (10) 16 Prompt reaction, when about to get a bodyguard (8)

18 Making headway through a passage, in advance (8)

19 Popular openings, and makes new designs (7)

21 To perform over what belongs to us leaves a nasty smell (6)

23 In addition, was close to the second eleven, we’re told (6)

25 May have to record small number in an empty theatre (4)