Crossword

Today’s grid

Across

1. Smith’s block (5)

4. Pale (7)

8. Bible stand (7)

9. Play badly (5)

10. Void (4)

11. Story-teller (8)

13. Affectionate (4)

14. Ring (4)

16. Discern (8)

17. Conceited (4)

20. Precise (5)

21. Italian dish (7)

22. Ratify (7)

23. Haggard (5)

Down

1. Intact (3,2,3,5)

2. Oral (5)

3. Ogle (4)

4. Yearly (6)

5. Mixed (8)

6. Nuptial (7)

7. Understanding (13)

12. Forefather (8)

13. On (7)

15. Unwilling (6)

18. Fragrance (5)

19. Eager (4)

Last week’s solution

Across: 1 Contemptible; 7 Order; 8 Clown; 9 Eye; 10 Blaspheme; 11 Theory; 12 Absent; 15 Obstinate; 17 Rob; 18 About; 19 Chair; 21 Unproductive.

Down: 1 Conventional; 2 End; 3 Pariah; 4 Incapable; 5 Loose; 6 Invertebrate; 7 Obese; 10 Barrister; 13 Error; 14 Rancid; 16 Swoon; 20 Arc.