CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Composer embracing quiet British key in danger of losing head (8,5) 10 Embarrassed when present at the time (2,3,4) 11 Begin unfortunate drinking spree (5) 12 Sticks around to execute evil (5,2) 13 Supported wet blanket on departure (4,3) 14 Queen is the lucky gainer (6) 16 James Joyce character who went round the edge of a puddle (8) 18 Allow latitude to enter when not called for, so take a wavering path (8) 20 Found it funny when steam use decreased in train (6) 23 Dad’s in rough fight about tool (7) 24 Explosion results in glowing lights (7) 26 Spoil scripture lesson on Garden of Eden girl (5) 27 Preparatory software still near crashing (9) 28 Age holds great sway when struggling with violent disagreement (2,11)

DOWN

2 Discover flirt (3,2) 3 Keep going with papers old and new (5,2) 4 Threaten when I am captured, they say (6) 5 Many people heard how one travelled extensively (3,5) 6 Free artist in case of false accusation (7) 7 Fails to distinguish how prisoners were discovered inside (9) 8 Leading nun to focus on poet as improvident dog-owner (6,7) 9 Theatre of war makes cowboy go awol (7,6) 15 Heavenly father, perhaps, constitutes top danger (9) 17 Stem in good order from hunting deer (8) 19 Release for holiday game (5,2) 21 Steak I’m chewing is bad idea (7) 22 It finishes when not so far away (6) 25 Turned up more than half delirious when provoked (5)