Across
8
Cut flowers arranged around it over in shop (8)
9
Almost mate, having backed capture (6)
10
Man on board eclipsing second most powerful Russian once (4)
11
Penalties for pupils getting one plus six wrong (10)
12
Decorate sides of bridge and what it overlooks (6)
14
Close bonds providing coverage for retirement (8)
15
Noble and outstanding saints protecting church (7)
17
Expert in fix put at risk (7)
20
Express sorrow about large error so unlike good worker (8)
22
Can eye present case, any part of which can be this (6)
23
Began after I confused student about it (10)
24
Contemptuously react – gratuitous advice sent back? (4)
25
Tolerate European poet, quintessentially English (6)
26
Eastern family with disease barely surviving (5,3)
Down
1
Philosopher’s wedding preparation initially cancelled (8)
2
Member of famous quartet proclaimed as celebrity (4)
3
Narrow escape from destruction of quakes (6)
4
From bunch of letters in squares, ponder answer (7)
5
Female garment, for instance, both down and up in new fiction (8)
6
Script with typo? Calm performance barely finished (10)
7
Part of Labrador first named in indigenous language (6)
13
Jumble in the box I twice show (10)
16
It’ll transform us into superpower – some work essential (5,3)
18
Honoured in retirement Aussie sprinters, holding flag up (8)
19
Demolish or rebuild the 2 or 10 (7)
21
Extra material tailors put inside vessels (6)
22
Decree from old king or queen followed by uproar about article (6)
24
Little good to be found in evil omen (4)