Across
1 Pleasure-seeker is a bit overwhelmed by painful problem (8)
5 A small box containing phosphorus in hollow beneath fireplace (3-3)
10 Restrain drunk grabbing maiden on island (5)
11 Took fresh sandwiches, cut of meat and vodka at centre (9)
12 Flat in Seattle, fancy and extremely spacious (9)
13 Girl dumps male, stuffy and tempestuous (5)
14 Bowl from ancient city stolen by youth (6)
15 Learn about new company holding inauguration of industrial plant (7)
18 Element in starch, a bit atypical (7)
20 Ecstasy, heroin and marijuana finally found in flat (6)
22 Article about India’s foremost female bandit (5)
24 Doctor finally ordered rest cure to revitalise (9)
25 Offended by doctor, nurse left (9)
26 Very upset after onset of arthritis, getting help (5)
27 Most pretty model breaking signal on street (6)
28 Climber died in an incident on top of ridge (8)
Down
1 Fantastic gelato in American city (6)
2 Check quips about primarily boring anticlimax (4,5)
3/7 Where bums might be using intuition (2,3,4,2,4,5)
4 Plenty of university fellows receiving physical training on base (7)
6 Naughty nights with amour are ultimately leading to this? (7,8)
7 See 3
8 Current leader of band captivated by doll is British rebel of 1950’s rock subculture (5,3)
9 Emergency in Cuba with endless threat to lives (6)
16 Most intelligent boy wins competition finally in American city (9)
17 Bombast of rich rogue consuming ecstasy with revolting degenerate (8)
19 Tense disagreement about husband’s frugality (6)
20 Hurries as ruthless criminal runs away (7)
21 Tells about lacking energy, becoming more tired (6)
23 Smaller map of island close to Mykonos in pocket (5)
Published – December 04, 2025 01:50 pm IST
