Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Knock back a small drink in Italy (4)

8. A bow is taken for this one-man performance (6,4)

9. Does he make staging? (8)

10. Weaving machine may appear menacing (4)

12. A thing to bear from one side to the other (6)

14. Furtive when moving around? (6)

15. Escaped being addressed as spinster? (6)

17. Sharp-edged boat? (6)

18. Marine animal shut tight (4)

19. Among a group of men she is reduced to silence (8)

21. Emphasised more than 500 suffering anxiety (10)

22. There should be lots to buy here (4)

Down

2. Actually done after professional training, perhaps (2,8)

3. Help about five to be greedy (4)

4. Constrains troops (6)

5. Is curt about kind of fruit tree (6)

6. E.g. David saw head included by hand-reader (8)

7. Space in the chamber (4)

11. Honest but flat (2,3,5)

13. Bet loose change is in longer used (8)

16. Somehow lisped 'Drive away' (6)

17. Natural development from Crusoe (6)

18. Team finds newspaper boss is up (4)

20. Do they help keep things clean in a soap opera? (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Clue (4)

8. Upright (10)

9. Bog (8)

10. Trust (4)

12. Ring (6)

14. Woe (6)

15. Gem (6)

17. Fashioned (6)

18. Nuisance (4)

19. Great (8)

21. Bellicose (10)

22. Obey (4)

Down

2. Light (10)

3. Assassin (4)

4. Ask (6)

5. Strain (6)

6. Paternal (8)

7. Withered (4)

11. Missile (10)

13. Persistent (8)

16. Coma (6)

17. Call up (6)

18. Tube (4)

20. Cut (4)

Wednesday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 7 In the; 8 Open air; 9 Hobbled; 10 Titan; 12 The present; 15 Notability; 18 Trust; 19 Wastrel; 21 There is; 22 Slack.

Down: 1 Fishing net; 2 Stubs; 3 Seal; 4 Hold up; 5 Seat-belt; 6 Parties; 11 No time like; 13 Habitues; 14 Stouter; 16 Lowest; 17 Great; 20 So-so.

QUICK

Across:7 Opine; 8 Phantom; 9 Natural; 10 Noose; 12 Decorative; 15 Miscellany; 18 Noisy; 19 Section; 21 Presage; 22 Ample.

Down: 1 Countryman; 2 Birth; 3 Tear; 4 Apollo; 5 Maintain; 6 Stood in; 11 Even-handed; 13 Everyday; 14 Aspired; 16 Listen; 17 Nippy; 20 Clap.