Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

6. At least 30 seconds taken to sort mail out (7)

7. Perfume sent round first class (5)

9. Condition of the country (5)

10. Insignificant tune played - ring us at the end! (7)

12. Equal fun I’d have with one possibly lacking in skill (11)

14. A lesson Tina discovered to be thrilling (11)

18. Early period of grieving, say (7)

19. Jelly entered as pick of the bunch (5)

21. Play cricket in the meadow (5)

22. Old king of the ant world? (7)

Down

1. Figure it to be half a ton? (5)

2. Youngster with equipment can catch up (6)

3. Drink up, mate! (3)

4. Untidy person has some neck! (6)

5. Is undergoing changes, but covered (7)

8. Spot a cat, we hear, or some other animal (3,4)

11. Flags waved by singer, perhaps (7)

13. Fiendish spirit put in charge (7)

15. South-eastern river subjected to old age (6)

16. A lock-up state (11)

17. Woman left in Hounslow I do want to meet (5)

20. He’s about to meet a female (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

6. Solidify (7)

7. Trifle (5)

9. Deign (5)

10. Make up (7)

12. Itinerant (11)

14. Poverty (11)

18. Digest (7)

19. Divest (5)

21. Whimsical (5)

22. Conspicuous (7)

Down

1. Entrance (5)

2. Pass over (6)

3. Silence (3)

4. Specimen (6)

5. Easily moulded (7)

8. King’s family (7)

11. Agitate (7)

13. Need (7)

15. Fall (6)

16. Get (6)

17. Monster (5)

20. Forefront (3)

Monday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Air display; 7 Again; 8 Spirits; 10 In the end; 11 Mien; 13 Draw up; 15 Bengal; 17 Alps; 18 Restless; 21 Aerator; 22 State; 23 Only chance.

Down: 1 Apart; 2 Runner-up; 3 Insane; 4 Paid; 5 Arising; 6 Radio drama; 9 Sunglasses; 12 Jettison; 14 Aspirin; 16 Search; 19 Erase; 20 Stay.

QUICK

Across: 1 Presuppose; 7 Raise; 8 Curtail; 10 Verbatim; 11 View; 13 Dragon; 15 Impair; 17 Note; 18 Insomnia; 21 Exclaim; 22 Ingle; 23 Persistent.

Down: 1 Prior; 2 Elevator; 3 Urchin; 4 Pure; 5 Stamina; 6 Providence; 9 Lawbreaker; 12 Immobile; 14 Article; 16 Animus; 19 Night; 20 Lass.