Double crossword 25/10

Across

7. Lady-love with a bad back (5)

8. Distribute information for the press (7)

9. He’ll make enquiries if one is unusually late (7)

10. Enter the office uninvited (5)

12. Solemnly declare as almost cut-rate (10)

15. Six balls caught by mischievous beggar (10)

18. Not all separate (5)

19. Don’t agree to leave the ranks? (4,3)

21. He’s at liberty to be a privileged citizen (7)

22. Work-time entertainment (5)

Down

1. Harmony in a musical instrument (10)

2. They falsify their accounts (5)

3. Close to the average (4)

4. Order a cavalry attack(6)

5. They’re used by those wishing to take cover (8)

6. Turns up in chilly surroundings, yet well received (7)

11. Up-to-date description of Christmas? (7,3)

13. Make minute economies? (4,4)

14. Clothes appear different when over fifty (7)

16. Clarify matters (6)

17. Out-moded description of St. Paul’s Cathedral, for example (5)

20. Ring the swimming bath up (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

7. Angry (5)

8. Unavailing (7)

9. Cautious (7)

10. Express (5)

12. Colony (10)

15. Teenager (10)

18. Claw (5)

19. Open-air (7)

21. Let off (7)

22. Throng (5)

Down

1. Sorcery (10)

2. Hirsute (5)

3. Unhearing (4)

4. Vent (6)

5. Sky-blue (8)

6. Pagan (7)

11. Backward (10)

13. Regularity (8)

14. Gather (7)

16. Overcast (6)

17. Engine (5)

20. Pleat (4)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Copyright; 8 Cox; 9 Grizzly bear; 11 Retorts; 12 Lawns; 13 Scrawl; 15 Usurer; 17 April; 18 Cleaves; 20 Train-bearer; 22 Ere; 23 Easy terms.

Down: 2 Oar; 3 Razor; 4 Gayest; 5 Trellis; 6 Screwdriver; 7 Exposures; 10 Interpreter; 11 Restarted; 14 Welfare; 16 Scenes; 19 Erect; 21 Elm.

QUICK - Across: 1 Shortness; 8 Eke; 9 Strangeness; 11 Comment; 12 Prior; 13 Mingle; 15 Depart; 17 Alter; 18 Brazier; 20 Accountancy; 22 Out; 23 Literally.

Down: 2 Hit; 3 Tense; 4 Events; 5 Steeple; 6 Destination; 7 Generator; 10 Remonstrate; 11 Companion; 14 Lyrical; 16 Abrupt; 19 Actor; 21 Col.