No 13849, Wednesday 26 Apr 2023, Dr. X

Solution to 15A 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

1   Meet girl for small talk (8) CONVERGE CONVER(-s+g)GE

5   A fine new deli at a distance (6) AFIELD {A}{F}{DELI*}

10 Express pleasure, consuming drug that's less adulterated (5) PURER {PUR{E}R}

11 Similarities with a gasoline compound (9) ANALOGIES*

12 Wrong anagram in that clue! Time wasted (9) UNETHICAL {IN+tHAT+CLUE}*

13 Type of lymphocyte, say, tackling coronavirus primarily (1-4) T-CELL {T{Co...s}ELL}

14 Sadness in group at hospital (6) PATHOS [T]

15 Most silly, putting pepper over pastries (7) D?P?E?T ()

18 Leader of industry in revolting deceit - that's extraordinarily clear (7) EIDETIC {E{In...y}DETIC*}

20 Wow! Making a comeback, Delhi's opener gets two ducks - it's bad luck (6) HOODOO {OOH<=}{De..i}{00}

22 Character hugging black oak tree (5) ROBLE {RO{B}LE}

24 Became exhausted in rave party, spinning over spot (3,2,4) RAN TO SEED {RANT}{O{SEE}D<=}

25 Settled back, cuddling primarily sexy damsel in sack (9) DISMISSAL {Sexy}{MISS} in {LAID<=}

26 Set of three diamonds lost - lady in distress (5) TRIAL {TRIAd}{L}

27 Fine and clear say, turning cooler (6) FRIDGE {F}{RID}{EG<=}

28 Stay warm, travelling in rail transport systems (8) TRAMWAYS*

DOWN

1   Avoid company and sulk (3,3) COP OUT {CO}{POUT}

2   Governess in series about rebellious ladies securing independence (9) NURSEMAID {RUN<=}{SEMA{I}D<=}

3   Shocking threats made to crush bowler perhaps on English field (5-10) EARTH-SHATTERING {EARTHS{HAT}T*}{E}{RING}

4   Good cuts and flicks (7) GLANCES {G}{LANCES}

6   How one might enter the solution to this clue completely (4,3,2,6) FROM TOP TO BOTTOM [C&DD]

7   Pick travel items, bags (5) ELITE [T]

8   Heartbroken as boyfriend embraces miss in retreat (8) DESOLATE {D{LOSE<=}ATE}

9   Upset after wife cried (6) WAILED {AILED}<=>{W}

16 Arcane stuff from fancy store, one maintained by retired expert (9) ESOTERICA {STORE*}{1} in {ACE<=}

17 Tried jogging in mist, fell over in ditch (3,3,2) GET RID OF {TRIED*} in {FOG<=}

19 Colour of church tower (6) CERISE {CE}{RISE}

20 Fitter after getting hold of extremely noted trainer (7) HANDLER {HA{NoteD}LER}

21 Overwhelmed by drinks, director on date becomes confused (6) ADDLES {A{D}{D}LES}

23 Fool interrupting most famous deep-voiced singers (5) BASSI {B{ASS}Ig}

Reference List

Girl = G, Small = S, Fine = F, Drug = E, Time = T, Black = B, Party = DO, Diamonds = D, Lady = L, Fine = F, Company = CO, Independence = I, English = E, Good = G, Wife = W, Church = CE, Director = D, Date = D