CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Has a polite demeanour, waiting for some public servants (5,7)

8 Heads off to ridges on the fringes (5)

9 Is within the influence of a worker, surreptitiously (9)

11 For a second time, to get a small pick-up down under was quite shrewd (6)

12 Asks about a popular group of singers, it’s said (8)

14 In time, created confusion, but still co-operated (10)

15 Individual performances in popular card game (4)

18 Find somewhere to settle, in all honesty (4)

19 Don’t lie about age of a deputation (10)

21 May give too much away in a transfer deal (4,4)

23 Did he have only one account? What a nutcase (6)

25 Mean to drop, at the end, onto the esplanade (9)

26 Strive to lift something into position, in the main (5)

27 About to make a show, by return (12)

DOWN

1 Thinks long and hard using wheels to go round a gallery (9)

2 Are some health professionals globetrotters? (8)

3 A bumpkin could be left out (4)

4 Finish up in a rage when in harm’s way (10)

5 Very true; one turned out to show high moral standards (6)

6 Taps into broadcast from one in authority at a meeting (5)

7 Are aunts and uncles cool when in alliance? (12)

10 Girl’s related, but is a bit detached (12)

13 Race, etc, over lea and pick up speed (10)

16 Come into existence, although one might start at the end (9)

17 Ancient Greek battle was settled in the long run (8)

20 Appeared at full speed, and pulled things into pieces (4,2)

22 Soon turned up at the end of a rope (5)

24 May be having a leading role in stock market trading (4)