Friday 27 February

Across

1 Soldiers infiltrating abbey get life (6) 4 Noise on the radio still (6) 9 Perhaps North’s to achieve success with diamonds (4) 10 Man goes wild securing ace when playing well (2,4,4) 11 Begins with small puddings (6) 12 Also, stealing money not a pointer to the future (8) 13 They provide regular services for the masses (9) 15 Part of quiche Lorraine slice sent back (4) 16 Party accepts 1,000,000 deposit (4) 17 US swimmer oversleeps if he’s shattered (9) 21 Black cat chases ball catching 6 in limbo (8) 22 Weapons and fruit onboard (6) 24 Messenger’s very good memory about outing (10) 25 In New York, season top of fajitas with everything (4) 26 Blade of green grass, damp after early rain, initially flourished (6) 27 Article describes hesitation in retreat, like in scenes of conflict (6)

Down

1 Side of ribeye smothered in gravy – starter for lunch in City? (7) 2 Senior wife divorced by one forming bond (5) 3 Hiding in ancient city – not a task for revolutionary (7) 5 The Royal Marines: the ultimate in peerless British units (6) 6 Chasing rabbit’s tail, biting foot of hare, I growl savagely and loudly (5,4) 7 Conservative politician wearing glasses has scheme on vacation to make notes (7) 8 They remove caps from batsmen to sustain courage (6-7) 14 Left Italy in German translation (9) 16 Argued about backing Democrat plot to imprison separatists once (7) 18 Making his mark in disputed region (7) 19 Documents civil service retiring with expensive cars (7) 20 Building is more cracked (6) 23 Delicate flower picked up by female? On the contrary (5)