Cryptic puzzle
Across
1. Made a knight in the film industry? (6)
4. Fix on a stake since I have lost colour (6)
9. Players cause titter in class (13)
10. Without delay I am out to act as umpire (7)
11. Takes half-term in a hurry (5)
12. Smith's block of Mediterranean villas (5)
14. Name of the editor to be Victor (5)
18. Pale like a layer (5)
19. The first man finds worker to be extremely hard (7)
21. Opposing proposal for movement in the shop? (7-6)
22. Offers in excuse could have lapsed (6)
23. It begins with love and proceeds to match (6)
Down
1. Pack up the tents and make off? (6)
2. Lodgings at the point of embarkation? (8-5)
3. Heather in the morning to leave the U.S. (5)
5. Mated, but didn't get beaten (7)
6. Murder results when two idiots put one over the people (13)
7. Oriental flower festival (6)
8. Flatten up and down (5)
13. Set fire to editing material (7)
15. Crazy headgear for a hot-head (6)
16. Don't leave because it's black and sticky? (5)
17. Bits of rock reflect the mood in the ship? (6)
20. No ale is made without help (5)
Quick puzzle
Across
1. Serene (6)
4. Reviled (6)
9. Unaided (3,4,3,3)
10. Magnify (7)
11. Name (5)
12. Attempt (5)
14. Lustre (5)
18. Tapestry (5)
19. Being tested (2,5)
21. On purpose (13)
22. Emit (6)
23. Supplication (6)
Down
1. Correct (6)
2. Flat out (2,4,7)
3. Interior (5)
5. Fascinate (7)
6. To a great degree (13)
7. Quiver (6)
8. A tree (5)
13. Arms factory (7)
15. Spite (6)
16. Compact (5)
17. Actor (6)
20. Singer (5)
Wednesday's solutions
CRYPTIC
Across: 1 Head gardener; 7 Repel; 8 Enter; 9 Yes; 10 Cheapjack; 11 Attila; 12 Ensign; 15 Dining-car; 17 Lie; 18 Norma; 19 Award; 21 Leisure hours. Down: 1 Happy landing; 2 Gap; 3 Relief; 4 Eye-opener; 5 Extra; 6 Broken hearts; 7 Reset; 10 Calendars; 13 Idled; 14 Eclair; 16 Nurse; 20 Ash.
QUICK
Across: 1 Manipulation; 7 Fight; 8 Eat up; 9 Ire; 10 Inspector; 11 Astute; 12 Polish; 15 Importune; 17 Inn; 18 Usage; 19 Overt; 21 Invertebrate. Down: 1 Multifarious; 2 Peg; 3 Latest; 4 Therefore; 5 Octet; 6 Apprehensive; 7 Fleet; 10 Interfere; 13 Idiot; 14 Run out; 16 Prawn; 20 Ebb.
The full article contains 434 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
