No 12503, Friday 21 Dec 2018, Buzzer

RULES FOR POSTING ON FRIDAY ONLY

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ACROSS
1   Husband let out shrieks contorting face (6) KISSER ShRIEKS*
5   Fashionable male inwardly flat as a dumbbell (7) PINHEAD {P{IN}{HE}AD}
9   Corrupt, heavily scorned method of payment (4,2,8) CASH ON DELIVERY*
11 Words describing heat primarily (6) THERMS {T{Heat}ERMS} &lit
12 Advantage in this place to toe the line (6,2) ADHERE TO {AD}{HERE} {TO}
13 Sacred composition encountered taking in Old Testament (5) MOTET {M{OT}ET}
14 Cheat kind Asians heartily in partnerships (9) CONSORTIA {CON}{SORT}{asIAns}
16 Cosmetic and conservative changes to car model (4,5) COLD CREAM {C}{CAR+MODEL}*
18 Rectangular slab carrying diamond symbol (5) TILDE {TIL{D}E}

~

20 Universal in America lay out west normally (5,3) USUAL WAY {US{U}A}{L{W}AY}
22 Craftier but not at forging of iron (6) FERRIC CRaFtIER*
24 Robe-de-chambre — a thing spa centre stocks for relaxation time (9,5) BREATHING SPACE [T]
25 When texting are you smart or becoming dull? (7) RUSTING (~are you){R U}{STING}
26 Acclaims from many about son (6) EXTOLS {EX}{LOT<=}{S}

DOWN
2   Hard, on average getting into premier institute, but found the solution (1,4,2) I HAVE IT {I{H}{AVE}IT}
3   Symbolic representation of catechism (9) SCHEMATIC*
4   Fellow rejected for open position (4) RANK fRANK
5   Buzzer perhaps, belonging to me, not really outstanding/special on reflection (9) PSEUDONYM {MY}{NO DUE}{SP}<=
6   Sound of hooter ringing around island (5) NOISE {NO{I}SE}
7   Factor in exclusive operation running away with lover (7) ELEMENT ELopEMENT
8   24 hours to arrest individual in Florida's town for speed trial (7,5)  DAYTONA BEACH {DAY}{TO}{NAB}{EACH}

10 Brat mum and I once disciplined. He's 2 (6,6) ATOMIC NUMBER {BRAT+MUM+I+ONCE}*
14 Pieces of mediocre mat in garage turning to ashes (9) CREMATING [T]
15 Right now in a difficult situation (2,3,4) ON THE SPOT [DD]
17 Honours a rule put in place through Lok Sabha (7) LAURELS {L{A+RULE}*S}
19 Poetic feet for mythological say, versifier Valmiki epic Ramayana, metrical (7) LYRICAL Tail Acrostic
21 Hit out with a long twirling club (5) LATHI {HIT}*{A}{L}<=
23 Unpleasant character into forgeries often (4) OGRE fOrGeRiEs

GRID