Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

6. Used to swim in the river for a day (7)

7. He’s lost one of the prawns, the blighter! (5)

9. Time-honoured part of golden wedding reception (3)

10. Game Doug played at Middlesex as an agitator (9)

12. Rags thrown on one who buys tiny jumper (11)

15. State of chicken when red (5,6)

17. Change these upon arriving at the flat (9)

19. Patient fellow finding employment (3)

21. One giving tips without notice of cover (5)

22. Can Julie be ready in time for the celebration? (7)

Down

1. Retire about fifty? Sleep on it! (5)

2. Employ Sue to tidy up (3)

3. Get tired on the green? (4)

4. A sound business escort (9)

5. Possibly team up with egg-head when one has lost a member (7)

8. Jacob’s wife in car - a Chelsea supporter? (6)

11. I’d tan it or treat in the usual way (9)

13. No hesitation in taking solarium round to Jack (6)

14. Bird to phone at nine? Possibly (7)

16. Melody hasn’t finished playing with the dummy (5)

18. Avoid getting involved in senseless hunger strike (4)

20. Ladies gathering to see East End comedian (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

6. Whine (7)

7. Storehouse (5)

9. Base (3)

10. Intimidate (9)

12. Delivery (11)

15. Splendid (11)

17. Blowing up (9)

19. Droop (3)

21. Hesitate (5)

22. Harmony (7)

Down

1. Pulsate (5)

2. Little devil (3)

3. Gala (4)

4. Censure (9)

5. Agreement (7)

8. Calamitous (6)

11. Futile (9)

13. Security (6)

14. Deny (7)

16. Sprite (5)

18. Spoken (4)

20. Appropriate (3)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 7 Businesswoman; 8 Impostor/Imposter; 9 Eddy; 10 Stanza; 12 Nation; 14 Chaser; 16 Emblem; 18 Peru; 20 Rational; 22 Light-fingered.

Down: 1 Cup match; 2 Disown; 3 Left; 4 Estrange; 5 Honest; 6 Bard; 11 Aircraft; 13 Operated; 15 Sought; 17 Broker; 19 Eric; 21 Tuna.

QUICK

Across: 7 Boarding-house; 8 Onlooker; 9 Wary; 10 Lawyer; 12 Embody; 14 Infect; 16 Excise; 18 Slur; 20 Luminous; 22 Sophisticated.

Down: 1 Fountain; 2 Broody; 3 Sink; 4 Aggrieve; 5 Cobweb 6 Tsar; 11 Ruthless; 13 Disquiet; 15 Earthy; 17 Canvas; 19 Look; 21 Mail.