No 13897, Wednesday 21 Jun 2023, Dr. X

Solution to 20D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Husband involved in frivolous affair atones to a certain extent (5,1,7) AFTER A FASHION {H} in {AFFAIR+ATONES}*

8   Sailing vessel in diagram, not small (5) KETCH sKETCH

9   Drug consumed for suicide possibly causing sweat (9) SUDORIFIC {FOR+SUICIDe}*

11 Aroused by lust, dame's excited to have sex in retreat (10) STIMULATED {LUST+DAME}* over {TI<=}

12 Diesel oil in older vehicle (4) DERV [T] Semi&lit

14 Introduces air into a cycle, ready to return (7) AERATES {A}{ERA}{SET<=}

16 One who observes rest going wild after consuming marijuana (7) SPOTTER {S{POT}TER*}

17 Reduced sex drive keeps old man in depression (7) DESPAIR {DES{PA}IRe}

19 Complain about extremely kitschy hotel, exorbitant (3-4) SKY-HIGH {S{Ki...hY}{H}IGH}

21 Covet hunks essentially in group going topless (4) ENVY {bE{huNks}VY}

22 Where tossed coin might be is uncertain (2,2,3,3) UP IN THE AIR [DD]

25 Longer night out, involved in rebellious fling (9) LENGTHIER {NIGHT*} in {REEL<=}

26 Nobody in base after lunchtime (2,3) NO ONE {E}<=>{NOON}

27 Young person starting to praise group at China involved in revolt (6,7) SPRING CHICKEN {Pr...e}{RING}{CH} in {SICKEN}

DOWN

2   Starter of fried tater cooked around lunchtime is more oily (7) FATTIER {Fr..d}{TATER}* over {1}

3   President disregarded the faux pas made by nationalist - that should clear the air (7,3) EXHAUST FAN {THE+FAUX+pAS}*{N}

4   Disoriented by a bit of Scotch in beverage (2,3) AT SEA {A}{T{Sc...h}EA}

5   Communicates with assistants leaving India to catch don (9) ADDRESSES {AiD{DRESS}ES}

6   Pain in heart and upper limb (4) HARM {H}{ARM}

7   Unorthodox ball gets fellow bowled in masterstroke (7) OFFBEAT {O}{F}{F{B}EAT}

8   Betray a lover's confidence by circulating naked stills (4,3,4) KISS AND TELL*

10 Fee to enter club, beyond reach sadly - about thousand (5,6) COVER CHARGE {C}{OVER}{CHAR{G}E*}

13 Cool hippy performing around noon is many-voiced (10) POLYPHONIC {COOL+HIPPY}* over {N}

15 Big turn! Takes catch by diving finally (9) STRAPPING {S{TRAP}PIN}{d...nG}

18 Drink after receiving flush in card game (5-2) SEVEN-UP {S{EVEN}UP}

20 One working alone to save husband having money problems (2,1,4) I? A ?O?E (Addendum - IN A HOLE {1}{NA{H}OLE*) - See comments)

23 New woman lacking quality as bridge player (5) NORTH {N}{wORTH}

24 Sewing case is quite fancy, no question (4) ETUI qUITE*

Reference List

Husband = H, Small = S, Drug = E, Sex = IT, Marijuana = POT, Hotel = H, Base = E, China = CH, President = P, Nationalist = N, India = I, Heart = H, Fellow = F, Bowled = B, Club = C, Thousand = G, New = N, Woman = W, Question = Q