The Brain Teaser

No. 8,607

ACROSS

1. What a fireman wouldn't want to wear! (7,6)

8. A stand taken by a fellow creature (7)

9. Of an uncertain age and without boyfriends (7)

11. A natural food (6)

13. A heat-wave, when a man is running round, is most unpopular (8)

15. The right date for making trips (5)

16. Clothes awaiting delivery (7)

18. From Latin America the soldier goes to a place in Italy (7)

19. Small and mean (5)

21. Leave when I myself return – before the great shake-up (8)

23. Again, from being crooked go straight (6)

25. Does the chairman join in such a strike? (3-4)

26. After the duck (one portion) comes the speech (7)

28. As the sun does when the holiday is over? (6,7)

DOWN

2. Give the chap money for the animal food (7)

3. Name of the tailless bird (3)

4. One thing that those who have everything don't have! (4)

5. Worker who commutes? (10)

6. Figure out the date for the student (5)

7. It's great once the meter's changed (7)

8. Don't think they won't get anything out of you! (4-7)

10. A piece from the drawer (11)

12. He took a beating again at sunrise (5)

14. Are they suitable for the courtyard of the United Nations building? (10)

17. Article about a one-time tax (5)

18. A dog trainer (7)

20. Losing that petite look which is becoming (7)

22. She finds the ball strangely hard to catch (5)

24. Doctor, this is unnecessary for an insect (4) 27. An attempt to get past (3)