SUPER CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Is he very good at getting his own back? (8,5)

8 Very tired, a number retire from the plant (7)

9 The companion is in Dior’s creation, with flowers (7)

11 As a rule, about a quarter quit (6) 13 Dismounts and irritates one (4,4) 15 She’s a white Russian, yes? (5)

16 Big noises at Wimbledon? (7)

18 Doctor Bird’s taken on the Indians (7) 19 Point the horse out in the forest (5)

21 Do better than, at school? (8)

23 Money back? That’s something new! (4,2)

25 Sponsor the boy-friend, a Pole, in it (7) 26 Having a smoke, the lady’s got nothing on, in bed (7)

28 Propose to get a job with (6,7)

DOWN

2 By five one’s in cooking food (7)

3 See outside a very old duck (3)

4 He’s the first person to go to the front (4) 5 “Afraid I can’t, too virtuous” (4,6)

6 Pinches nothing to speak of (5)

7 The bosses are from Dorset, I gather (7) 8 Extremely rich, all right, and not working (4,4,3)

10 In which, from a lot of entries, a good number will be successful? (4,7)

12 Sang out “Hard grind!” (5)

14 It means extra work (5,5)

17 What did you say about man and the planet? (5)

18 Show that was dull I once produced (7) 20 With women, is out to be charming (7) 22 The language when not allowed to finish the line shot! (5)

24 Picture of house in frame (4)

27 Time taken to answer hesitantly “What’s the indefinite article?” (3)