No 12992, Monday 20 Jul 2020, Arden

Solution to 14D 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   Spooks check drop, briefly go for a make up (6) FACIAL {FA{CIA}Ll}
4   Have to stay inland — getting a tan (8) BROWNING {BR{OWN}ING}
9   Crescent shaped unit, it goes in late (6) LUNATE {L{UNit}ATE}
10 Work behind counter, the banks offer solution (8) ANTIDOTE {DO}<=>{ANTI} and {ThE}
12 It keeps you warm underneath and trim (8) FURBELOW {FUR}{BELOW}
13 Cleaner in trouble, a char woman comes in (6) BLEACH [T]
15 Sure to interrupt a troll, checking (12) ASCERTAINING {A}{S{CERTAIN}ING}
18 Neat choice in the beach, sleeps over (5-3-4) SPICK-AND-SPAN {S{PICK}AND}{NAPS<=}
21 A tendency to go off course (6) ADRIFT {A}{DRIFT}
22 Bird getting close to cat, surprising! (8) STARLING {STARtLING}

24 County will sign up after a short game (8) CHESHIRE {HIRE}<=>{CHESs}
25 Small, handicapped, without home (6) MINUTE {M{IN}UTE}
26 Particle status — essentially three become one (8) POSITRON POSIT(-i+r)RON
27 Soldiers will stop that menace (6) THREAT {TH{RE}AT}

DOWN
1   Fail to get accommodation post season (4,4) FALL FLAT {FLAT}<=>{FALL}
2   Study document, make it small... (8) CONTRACT {CON}{TRACT}
3   ... for no reason, as the bowler’s not in the team (2,3,4,2,1,3) AT THE DROP OF A HAT [DD]
5   Fame lost when he left US city (4) RENO RENOWN without {WheN}
6   Faith keeps him going around (8,7) WHIRLING DERVISH [CD]

7   Regular mission on local weather chart (6) ISOBAR  {mIsSiOn}{BAR}
8   Leaves shortly with the novelist (6) GOETHE {GOEs}{THE}
11 Demo to take on the ruler... (7) MONARCH {M{ON}ARCH}
14 ... slow to move as one gets poetic support (7) ?N?A?T? (Addendum - ANDANTE {AN}{DANTE} - See comments)
16 Update it — use your skill (8) APTITUDE*
17 Most comfortable position, finally stops advance (8) SNUGGEST {S{p...oN}UGGEST}
19 Plan to get an assistant, it’s crazy (6) MADCAP {M{ADC}AP}
20 Documents on synthetic fibres (6) BRIEFS*
23 About to unload from stuff on old boat (4) ARGO cARGO

Reference List
Home = IN, Soldiers = RE, Study = CON, Assistant = ADC, About = C

No tales for a few weeks as Dr RKE is busy writing for a text book on Neurosurgery

Special, Sunday 19 Jul 2020, Raju Umamaheswar

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please submit all your answers in one comment. 

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELTED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

ACROSS

1   Noble's song performed in church, for some bishops. (5,9)

9   Sort of sketch it hurts to put under the hammer (9)

10 Disturbance stopped early by copper, an unusual type. (5)

11 It could be hard to trim (5)

12 Marsupial's is surprised expression when caught by robber. (9)

13 Steps taken to honour our star. (3,5)

15  Lose courage on the carpet. (6)

17 Tool to get rid of what's frozen round front of vehicle. (6)

19 Crustacean raw,without salt. (8)

22 Do Russian reforms show organisations unable to adapt? (9)

23 Wipe the floor with flash young boxer, perhaps. (3,2)

24 Agreed, pronouncement on the radio. (5)

25 Original type of popular star reaching high point. (9)

26 Her lover was booked and taken to court. (4,10)

DOWN

1   Open a mobile cafe and embarrass one's friends. (3,3,4,4)

2   Suddenly attack with bullet to leg  (5,2)

3   Poor bears rattled by intimidating person. (5)

4   Contributed to defence that's thrown out again by recorder (8)

5   Drawing a line with this decision. (6)

6   Direction artist follows, we hear, in general. (9)

7   When number left on aeroplanes (7)

8   Port and non-alcoholic drink politicians linked in tax protest. (6,3,5)

14 Inessential equipment for criminal's sidekick (9)

16 Composer adding note to sacred music- clear ? (8)

18 House containing a new orchid (7)

20Topical changes in American political situation (7)

21 Home erected in great European city. (6)

23 Western manoeuvre to capture island. (5)

Across Lite version can be accessed at RAJU U 19

I have also added below a 'Puzzle Me version' which is embedded here so it can be solved interactively here itself.  

Please do mention in the comments section whether this option is better or Across Lite is better for future Specials.

Enjoy.