No 13178, Tuesday 23 Feb 2021, Arden

Solution to 28A  has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

9   Girl on the run gets our support, that’s IT! (7)  GLAMOUR {G}{LAM}{OUR}

10 Take old gear (7) OPINION {O}{PINION}

11 Whispers “Ulster’s free!” (7) RUSTLES*

12 Top of the world — always is in Paris (7) EVEREST {EVER}{EST}

13 Chart out cure — principally tobacco is a killer (9) CUTTHROAT {CHART+OUT}*{To...o}

15 He had to get killed, travelling back in time (5) EPOCH {H{COP}E}<=

16 A bit macabre — a stranger got alongside (7) ABREAST [T]

19 Back to render a composition (4,3) REAR END*

20 Day lodging — part of London in decline (5) DECAY {D{EC}AY}

21 Young lad’s fall, gets external support (9) STRIPLING {S{TRIP}LING}

25 After rate cut time for some painting (7) TEMPERA {TEMPo}{ERA}

26 Like a pimple, for Spooner it’s important (3,4) BIG DEAL (dig beal to big deal)

28 Paper work won’t be shifted to waiting room (7) O?I?A?I (Addendum - ORIGAMI {wAItInG+RoOM}* [CA]- See comments) 

29 Hormone found within on both sides of skull, oddly (7) INSULIN {IN}{SkUlL}{IN}

DOWN

1   Fungus found on a fish I see (6) AGARIC {A}{GAR}{IC(see)}

2   Hound those born with wealth (6) BASSET {B}{ASSET}

3   Fine bird, or just a bird? (4) FOWL {F}{OWL}

4   Picture with gangster out in the open (6) FRESCO alFRESCO

5   Europeans blame top guide (8) POLESTAR {POLES}{TAR} Enu (8) or (4,4)

6   Misplaced idea to elope with personal assistant (4-2-4) AIDE-DE-CAMP {IDEA*}{DECAMP}

7   Annoying book covers — shoots the top off (8) TIRESOME {T{fIRES}OME}

8   Told to send chit around (8) SNITCHED*

14 Mercury — perhaps vet may use as part of cure (5,5) HEAVY METAL {VET+MAY}* in {HEAL}

16 Test car — keep away, they say (8) AUDITION {~ audi shun)

17 Return a proposal to endorse — it’ll replace end (8) RECOMMIT RECOMM{-end+it}IT

18 State modelled over passion (8) TASMANIA {SAT<=}{MANIA}

22 Fast breeder makes preacher tense (6) RABBIT {RABBI}{T}

23 Is wood breaking into dreams? (6) IDEALS {I{DEAL}S}

24 Strong wind, one blowing from south has lead... (6) GALENA {GALE}{AN<=}

27 ... strong wind, gold gone in a month (4) GUST auGUST

Reference List

Girl = G, Old = O, Is in French = EST, Born = B, Fine = F, Gangster = AL, Tense = T