The Sunday Crossword No 2973, Sunday 10 Dec 2017

ACROSS
1   Learn from rally (4,2) PICK UP [DD]
4   Worrier following American spy (7) FUSSPOT {F}{US}{SPOT}
9   Snake in role of tempter, centrally (3) ASP {AS}{temPter}

10 New shop in frantic search for light fixtures (11) CHANDELIERS {N}{DELI} in {SEARCH}*
11 Succeeds in turning quiet after stumble involving hesitation (8) TRIUMPHS {TRI{UM}P}{SH<=}
12 Plan about border in south-east (6) SCHEME {S{C}{HEM}E}
13 Fruit, small and bad, in front of sign with assortment (7,6) SEVILLE ORANGE {S}{EVIL}{LE O}{RANGE}

17 Beam serenely, foolishly ignoring unknown computer scientist (3,7-3) TIM BERNERS-LEE {TIMBER}{SERENLy}*
19 Flexible part broken by turning spike (6) PLIANT {P{NAIL<=}T}
20 Extravagant friend, entertaining one, good behind bar (8) PRODIGAL {P{ROD}{1}{G}AL}
23 Join forces and pass law endlessly awkward to bear (11) COLLABORATE {COL}{LAw}{TO+BEAR}*
24 Second area for extinct bird (3) MOA {MO}{A}

25 Rotten, stained clothing repelled expert (7) DECAYED {D{ACE<=}YED}
26 Get away from edge of fire grate, right away (6) ESCAPE {firE}{SCrAPE}

DOWN
1   Run through court, interrupting worship (8) PRACTISE {PRA{CT}ISE}
2   Island that's cold over most of month (5) CAPRI {C}{APRIl}
3   Disparaging inept army column in disarray (15) UNCOMPLIMENTARY*
4   Enthusiasm and energy decline (4) FADE {FAD}{E}
5   Sign of embarrassment after track about pixie with narcissism (4-11) SELF-CENTREDNESS {S{ELF}CENT}{REDNESS}
6   Little by little, sound of silence spread (9) PIECEMEAL (~peace}{PIECE}{MEAL}
7   Sample varied treats (6) TASTER*
8   Material change? Simple (8) CASHMERE {CASH}{MERE}
14 Acrimonious against one group of three left in charge (9) VITRIOLIC {V}{1}{TRIO}{L}{IC}
15 Organ played in clear way around town (4,4) RING ROAD {ORGAN}* in {RID}
16 Revealing lines in a letter, sadly, Romeo erased (8) TELLTALE {LL} in {A+LETTEr}*
18 United, apart from learner, seasoned (6) SPICED SPlICED
21 Letter in scam magician set up (5) GAMMA <=
22 Covering for head gangster (4) HOOD [DD]

GRID