DT Cryptic 2381

[Christiana]

Have completed puzzle but dissatisfied with 8a. Support and comfort afforded to many ?a?e? - I assume it's cared ie. comfort = care + d for the many, but that makes the grammar all wrong for the 'support' part. Am I being too pedantic or is there a better answer?

[sarumite]

I have Ease + l .... Easel

[Christiana]

Thanks Sarumite, that's much better. Believe it or not I did a Onelook dictionary search - must have missed it in the thousands of words it threw up.

[Behemoth]

What about "easel", similar theme to your answer "ease" + "l" for many, with easel being the support

[sarumite]

Hi Christiana ... I know the feeling well, you can sometimes hit on the correct answer immediately, whilst on other occasions you can keep missing the obvious! (S)

[Christiana]

Thanks Behemoth and you too Sarumite for softening the blow!

[JoolsTwo]

Hi Christiana just to let you know O-ice didn't receive the crossword either - so I will try again to morrow. Looks like my emails aren't being received for some reason at the moment. :-(

[Christiana]

Hi Jools

Thanks, will let you know if I get it.