Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

3. Deserted, showing lack of self-control (9)

8 and 15 Across. Note the moment to move on the spot (4,4)

9. Making some stipulation when supplying stock (9)

10. Strive for inordinate praise (6)

11. Ask quietly to go in front (5)

14. Flock of geese hide round the top of the elm (5)

15. See 8 Across.

16. Vehicle not returning to Georgia (5)

18. Conceited one in the forefront of battle (4)

20. Fall back in a bit of a flap, seemingly (5)

21. Kind of grass providing a comfortable place to lie (5)

24. The sort of organ through which a bullet passes (6)

25. A girl more confused by rambling account (9)

26. Almost a gimmick to cause stupefaction (4)

27. Remove any roughness from this arboreal feature (5-4)

Down

1. Being stoical, I’m not resisting (9)

2. Clairvoyant hit copper in disorder (9)

4. Produced a tidal wave (4)

5. Original piece of literature (5)

6. Aged bowler is out-of-date (3,3)

7. She reveals part of her married name (4)

9. Computer information gets out after this (5)

11. Belabour Toby’s master (5)

12. Lack of balance could put pairs in a tidy mess (9)

13. Removing any inclination for flatfish! (9)

17. Seaweed dispersed by a gale (5)

19. The standard linked with an early invader (6)

22. It shows something is missing from a broken crate (5)

23. Instrument with an unpleasant sound? (4)

24. Squander money, feeling depressed (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

3. Heedlessly rash (9)

8. Military force (4)

9. Unequalled (9)

10. Paradise (6)

11. Show contempt for (5)

14. Merger (5)

15. Old form of you (4)

16. Teams (5)

18. Period before Easter (4)

20. Dried plum (5)

21. Vagrant (5)

24. Sibling (6)

25. Giving (9)

26. Peruvian Indian (4)

27. Leave office (5,4)

Down

1. In a shy way (9)

2. Easily irritated at delay (9)

4. Gulf state (4)

5. Regional (5)

6. Using maximum effort (3-3)

7. Record (4)

9. Wherewithal (5)

11. Annoyed (3,2)

12. Forcing (9)

13. Practice (9)

17. Small shoot (5)

19. Satellite of Neptune (6)

22. Miaowed (5)

23. Qualifying race (4)

24. Wintry precipitation (4)

Thursday’s solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Duck; 3 All clear; 8 Junk; 9 Dovetail; 11 Cheap edition; 13 Endear; 14 Tender; 17 Streets ahead; 20 Eventual; 21 Omit; 22 Everyone; 23 Oder.

Down: 1 Dejected; 2 Contend; 4 Lloyds; 5 Chew the fat; 6 Erato; 7 Rely; 10 Apparently; 12 Creditor; 15 Dreamed; 16 Strain; 18 There; 19 Cede.

QUICK - Across: 1 Pump; 3 Laudable; 8 Rung; 9 Confound; 11 Perverseness; 13 Retort; 14 Stable; 17 Misbehaviour; 20 Chaperon; 21 Limb; 22 Wreckage; 23 Shoe.

Down: 1 Perspire; 2 Minaret; 4 Arouse; 5 Definitive; 6 Blues; 7 Eddy; 10 Heartbreak; 12 Terrible; 15 Boorish; 16 Throng; 18 Inane; 19 Scow.