Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. It can take the pressure (9)

8. Employ American English (3)

9. What a motoring school should do for a railway worker? (5,6)

11. Indeed a song is held up (7)

12. Some are ignorant of a rule (5)

13. Votes I fixed for the old union (6)

15. Editorial chief (6)

17. Tests in English before Xmas, perhaps (5)

18. Do well to follow (7)

20. Golly, Cilla runs after one without reason (11)

22. For example, to love a self-image (3)

23. Possibly lost again in a yearning for the past (9)

Down

2. Chest expander? (3)

3. Dough or bread? (5)

4. Long angry speech from one in commerce (6)

5. Concerning poetry? Just the opposite (7)

6. Galloping consumption? (7,4)

7. Observing a communist becoming angry (6,3)

10. Left the French without flying relief (11)

11. He gives out various red spines (9)

14. Poles in trouble with a Greek character (7)

16. Customs man who is wise in America (6)

19. Clown with a drink (5)

21. Hawaiian garland or the French one (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Plan (9)

8. Beer (3)

9. Forte (6,5)

11. Rejection (7)

12. Publish (5)

13. Minister (6)

15. False (6)

17. Topic (5)

18. Eightfold (7)

20. Pacification (11)

22. Illuminated (3)

23. Abhorrent (9)

Down

2. Allow (3)

3. Spasms (5)

4. Transfix (6)

5. Teaching (7)

6. Disaster (11)

7. Hang on (9)

10. Freeze (11)

11. Esteemed (9)

14. Spire (7)

16. Senility (6)

19. Of them (5)

21. Nothing (3)

Monday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 7 Appear; 8 Charge; 10 Teacher; 11 Frank; 12 Odds; 13 Shied; 17 Scene; 18 Peer; 22 Ariel; 23 Mastiff; 24 Margin; 25 Minute.

Down: 1 Bastion; 2 Uplands; 3 Pasha; 4 Shifter; 5 Organ; 6 Pecks; 9 Arch-enemy; 14 Acclaim; 15 Retinue; 16 Trifles; 19 Palms; 20 Litre; 21 Astir.

QUICK

Across: 7 Loosen; 8 Menial; 10 Mixture; 11 Crown; 12 Gash; 13 Funny; 17 Lurid; 18 Fray; 22 Reply; 23 Uncover; 24 Frugal; 25 Bucket.

Down: 1 Plumage; 2 Coexist; 3 Venue; 4 Descend; 5 Widow; 6 Blunt; 9 Beautiful; 14 Juryman; 15 Provoke; 16 Hydrate; 19 Gruff; 20 Spout; 21 Scour.