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. Badly hurt girl (4)

3. It may be his aim, collectively (8)

8. A side of meat, perhaps (4)

9. Mountain-climbing drink leads to a sort of friendship (8)

11. University entertainment in London (6,6)

13. Money on account causes stress (6)

14. Chess piece to throw at the French (6)

17. Concentrate on a petty nation’s trouble (3,9)

20. Horserace you could put a grand on? (8)

21. The French ship carries a smaller amount (4)

22. Killed for returning silver that has decayed (8)

23. Dust all over the farm (4)

Down

1. Logical to restrict supply of a number (8)

2. Trade in vehicles (7)

4. Time the backward company got a security device (6)

5. Possibly rate tennis as it provides amusement (10)

6. Back the high-class Indian (5)

7. Religious instruction at church for the wealthy (4)

10. Cause to turn the boat around (5,5)

12. Like a dipsomaniac reindeer (3-5)

15. Three-pronged spear I had found in the river (7)

16. Bombard faster somehow (6)

18. Current peak for a performer (5)

19. Comfortable about weapons (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Counterfeit (4)

3. Sheath (8)

8. Duty list (4)

9. Spring flower (8)

11. Bridal gown (7,5)

13. Accounts book (6)

14. From that place (6)

17. Secret (12)

20. Responded (8)

21. Siamese (4)

22. Glass vessel (4,4)

23. Curved structure (4)

Down

1. Goodbye (8)

2. Insect (7)

4. Alter (6)

5. In advance (10)

6. Assistants (5)

7. Uninteresting (4)

10. Secondary result (4,6)

12. Nearly (4-4)

15. Not one (7)

16. Modifying word (6)

18. Fertile spot (5)

19. Hypocritical talk (4)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Switzerland; 9 Origami; 10 Gogol; 11 Disco; 12 Molotov; 13 Passed; 15 Superb; 18 America; 20 Donna; 22 Extol; 23 Asiatic; 24 Persian Gulf.

Down: 2 Writs; 3 Tea rose; 4 Enigma; 5 Legal; 6 Nightie; 7 Lord’s Prayer; 8 Olive branch; 14 Sceptre; 16 Undoing; 17 Panama; 19 Isles; 21 Natal.

QUICK

Across: 1 Concentrate; 9 Outlast; 10 Siren; 11 Titan; 12 Concise; 13 Fickle; 15 Accent; 18 Certain; 20 Peril; 22 Train; 23 Outcast; 24 Flexibility.

Down: 2 Octet; 3 Channel; 4 Notice; 5 Risen; 6 Turbine; 7 Pontificate; 8 Infertility; 14 Curtail; 16 Capital; 17 Entomb; 19 Annex; 21 React.