No 14706, Monday 02 Feb 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 18A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 & 6 Frankly, that's how a chemise hangs (8,4,3,8) STRAIGHT FROM THE SHOULDER [DD]

5   Killed around noon in revolt (6) OFFEND {OFFE{N}D}

10 Bolt starts to run in very exciting trial (5) RIVET Acrostic

11 Spice in small, unopened case (9) SEASONING {S}{rEASONING}

12 Release new design on time (9) DISENGAGE {DESIGN}*{AGE}

13 The ones here in rebellious group consuming heroin and ecstasy (5) THESE {SE{H}T<=}{E}

14 Briefly talk about popular aquarium fish (6) DISCUS DISCUSs

15 Distressed by bad truffle (7) FRETFUL*

18 Observes creep going around in lounge without shirt (7) R?G?R?S ()

20 Look at husband beginning to ogle lady in base (6) BEHOLD {BE{H}{Ogle}{L}D}

22 Walk a mile on ground, shortly after gaining pounds (5) AMBLE {A}{M}{B{L}Ed}

24 Pot-bellied lush drinking right after start of ceremony (9) CORPULENT {O{R}PULENT}<=>{Ce...y}

25 Help after receiving storm alert in central part of country (9) HEARTLAND {H{ALERT*}AND}

26 Squad itching to cross channel (5) DITCH [T]

27 Clear on the contrary, need extremely large full-skirted dress (6) DIRNDL {RID<=}{NeeD}{L}

28 Wild romp in pier, awfully inappropriate (8) IMPROPER {ROMP}* in {PIER}*

DOWN

1   Walk in street on outing (6) STRIDE {ST}{RIDE}

2   Crazy about topless beauty - gorgeous (9) RAVISHING {RAV{dISH}ING}

3   Lost credit card on set - my mistake (1,5,9) I STAND CORRECTED*

4   USSR has deployed cavalrymen (7) HUSSARS*

6   See 1 Across

7   Continue going around island on most basic battery-powered two-wheeler (1-4) E-BIKE {E{I}KE} on {Ba...c} (Correction - {BE<=}{I}{KEy})

8   Pursued lady on vacation tenaciously (8) DOGGEDLY {DOGGED}{LadY}

9   Words on envelope in vehicle upset rival (4,2) CARE OF {CAR}{FOE<=}

16 Stumble in front of suite, overwhelmed by strong drinks with darling in retreat (5,4) FALSE STEP {F}{AL{Su..e}ES}{PET<=}

17 Raised couch to catch insect (8) BROACHED {B{ROACH}ED}

19 One getting a little aggressive after cocaine in star's party (6) SOCIAL {1}<.>{C} and {Ag...e}

20 Apathy of revolutionary involved in blast (7) BOREDOM {BO{RED}OM}

21 Extremely elegant songstress, one making an impression (6) ETCHER {El...nT}{CHER}

23 Heard roar for former British PM (5) BLAIR (~blare)

Reference List

Noon = N, Small = S, Heroin = H, Ecstasy = E, Husband = H, Lady = L, Mile = M, Pounds = L, Right = R, Large = L, Island = I, Strong = F, Cocaine = C