Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you've been wracking your brains) yesterday's solutions.

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Sounds like the external appearance of Americans (4)

8. Being completely confused, I'd pull exam to pieces (3,5,2)

9. Describing conditions when one is becalmed – don't tack so much (8)

10. Apparently does difficult sums, initially (4)

12. Scholar unusually adept about a certain point (6)

14. It often comes out around Christmas time, but it's no everlasting flower! (6)

15. The company I directed is wound up (6)

17. A driver will tighten these propellers (6)

18. Insect with a barb turned backwards (4)

19. Child actor's costume (4-4)

21. How the priest is dressed should produce some interest (10)

22. Part of a sheet typifying English painter (4)

Down

2. Promoted team relegated – that's topsy-turvy (6-4)

3. See 18 Down

4. Broken-down steed about 50 – most advanced in age (6)

5. The rest of the day (6)

6. Fee paid to a keeper? (8)

7. Removed from bed, like a poisonous tree (4)

11. Burden shouldered by the coffin-bearers! (4-6)

13. Given a certain part, but told tale badly (8)

16. Stand-in for mine official (6)

17. Kept on running but didn't go (6)

18 and 3 Down. It's denied that help is needed with profits (8)

20. Using some of the bearings, it earmarks the spot (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Forfeiture (4)

8. Preserve (10)

9. Defer (8)

10. Halt (4)

12. Clamour (6)

14. Gibberish (6)

15. Seaman (6)

17. Miscellaneous (6)

18. Warmth (4)

19. Takings (8)

21. Inebriate (10)

22. Near (4)

Down

2. Unsuitable (3,2,5)

3. Pimple (4)

4. Zeal (6)

5. Guard (6)

6. Interrogate (8)

7. Jump (4)

11. Predominant (10)

13. Offering (8)

16. Reimbursed (6)

17. Catchphrase (6)

18. Greet (4)

20. Regular (4)

Wednesday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 7 Dense; 8 Oppress; 9 Envelop; 10 Aries; 12 Cheesecake; 15 River Plate; 18 Siren; 19 Mistake; 21 Recluse; 22 Lager.

Down:1 Adventures; 2 Knave; 3 Deal; 4 Corpse; 5 Apparent; 6 Decimal; 11 Sweetheart; 13 Harangue; 14 Avarice; 16 Lumber; 17 Large; 20 Sole.

QUICK

Across: 7 Erase; 8 Ruffian; 9 Indulge; 10 Scrub; 12 Malevolent; 15 Obliterate; 18 Slain; 19 Frogman; 21 Treason; 22 Tress.

Down: 1 Meticulous; 2 Gaudy; 3 Well; 4 Breeze; 5 Offshoot; 6 Pierced; 11 Bitterness; 13 Astonish; 14 Cleaver; 16 Refund; 17 Impel; 20 Oath.