CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Finding casual work can be an attractive option, after time out (7)

5 Was enraged, but in a different way (7)

9 An old lady was eager to get some cotton cloth (7)

10 Trained hard to improve discipline of a little boy (7)

11 Hear a musical piece in a light style. It’s only a game (9)

12 Is able to get along an old waterway (5)

13 Did a church officer head off a shipyard worker? (5)

15 Was a man short in the long run more than once? (9)

16 Announce first place before one’s subject to delays (9)

18 Competes on the track right before some expert players (5)

21 Acts as a police informer in missing stolen goods inquiry (5)

22 Can correspond, at first, when everything’s hunky-dory (9)

24 At last, he got more involved in a scientific proposition (7)

26 Turns up at first, to take care of son (7) 27 Might one helping an actor with his costume need a sideboard (7)

28 Brighten up, having spotted a small weasellike animal (7)

DOWN

1 To provide endless care can be quite credible (7)

2 Coped with some staff who are getting on a bit (7)

3 In the final part, was rather amateurish (5)

4 Is a working land-owner a noble who tills the fields? (9,6)

5 Drivers facing four ways to proceed at a crucial stage (2,3,10)

6 and 25 down Stares at large ship, initially, being built (6)

7 Manage to get in to meet someone (3,4)

8 Cheats the French having performed the first dance before them (7)

12 To provide food for others, start to cook a turkey, extra rare (5)

14 Run before some experts in contests on the track (5)

16 Pretended to have had a hunch, and assumed it could be true (7)

17 After all, Bible Class, in short, was quite heartfelt (7)

19 Ministers getting together can bet on one organisation (7)

20 Trample over one. It’s all relative (4-3)

23 Some are essential, in fact, the real things (5)

25 See 6 down