CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. One predicting fantastic twists penned by novelist

(10)

6. Monkey endlessly makes a racket (4) 9. Venue that’s a blessing for arranging meeting with Romeo? (7,3)

10. Rotating matter from exploding star (4) 12. Slowly dance a tango with a date (3,4,2,1,4) 14. Challenged heavyweight, gaining round with stunning blow (4,2)

15. School bully from The Dandy, perhaps (8) 17. Festively singin’ with head of orchestra and I swapping bells (8) 19. Unwelcome mark: it's overturned by good student (6)

22. Flourishes by writer: a gripping subject for literary collection (14) 24. Indeed, lazy on vacation — behaving like this? (4)

25. Crazy reason for moving without assistance (10)

26. What’s carpentry tool cut? (4)

27. Zulu chief ran around trapping bishop bird (5,5) DOWN 1. Female exploitation displayed by Bond (4) 2. Unexpectedly meet Barney just before closing? (3,4)

3. Turn one’s back on polar bear? (4-8) 4. Tsetse flies around some feet (6) 5. Temporary jetty appearing after an age (8)

7. Metal heel: one secured by old lady (7) 8. Blokes carrying mild disease rested up for a very long time (10) 11. Wildly cheer protagonist in satire of novel (5,3,4)

13. Frozen goods placed on cash register (10) 16. John and Henry admitted to Bar, providing legal oversight (8)

18. The genuine article for sale? Get hand out again (7)

20. Extract mother from wild man-eating plant (7)

21. A very piercing acidic taste (6)

23. Forage around, conserving energy for sure (4)