Sunday Times Prize Crossword 4590 Sunday May 18Th 2014

[mercedita]

I'm pleased I got a Dean Mayer one nearly done, but I'm stuck on 4.

21A A contribution to what reduces hostility (6) I Ha.ve H _ B _ _ _
22D Check balls out (5). Is that BINGO?
18D Duck call enthralling you, as Jack may be (3-4)
23A Number 10 (3,5,3,3) I think it's MAN ABOUT THE _ __ _ but I can't get the last word!

Help, please!

[elliemay1]

21 seen as hatred
22 taboo

[Mamyalynne]

Hatred

Taboo

One eyed

Mad about the boy (references 10 across)

[scorpiojo]

Hatred - in clue
Taboo
One-eyed
Mad about the boy

[Lie-in King]

21a "...w HAT RED uces..."
22d Taboo - 'tab' (check; bill) + 'oo' (balls)
18d One-eyed (as a Jack in cards might be) - 'o' (duck; nil) + 'ye' (you, in) 'need' (call)
23a Mad about the boy (song; number) - answer to 10a is 'Damson', so 'mad' (about) + 'son' (the boy)

[mercedita]

Gosh, thanks everyone! If only you could hear my "Ah, of course" sighs! that 23A was pretty clever. Actually, a lot of them were. I wonder if he ever reads these! See you next week!