Times Quick Cryptic 2552 Answers Today December 20, 2023

A heartless wife upset me — so formidable!

AWESOME

Careful handling of fellow, one with throbbing, lacking bit of sense

MANIPULATION

Change part of ’orse’s equipment

ALTER

Herb beginning to speak, interrupting conference

PARSLEY

Is troublesome cat about to drink?

acts up

Kingdom has king, extraordinary male

REALM

Manage to enclose second area with trees

COPSE

Mischief-maker joining the Spanish force

IMPEL

Mottled fruit item given to daughter

DAPPLE

Number of social workers who rent accommodation?

TENANTS

Obvious to take in one person for surgery?

PATIENT

Opportunist, almost the last character to appear in court

CHANCERY

Petty misdeed at home — consider it silly

INDISCRETION

Problems with hat back to front: Miss Woodhouse's?

DILEMMAS

Rubbish by an item of furniture that can be turned around

ROTATABLE

Sentimental Greek character disinclined to speak

MUSHY

Small child's bit of money

MITE

Some lifelong criminal

FELON

Sweet dough

LOLLY

Swiss areas preserve huge amounts

CANTONS

Tree in coastal stretch, we hear?

BEECH

Trick? Scot's bowled over

SCAM

Vehicle is endless worry

CAR

Vilified female, a maiden caught in the act

DEFAMED

What to expect: simple chap with Yankee’s meanness

PARSIMONY

Woman of the month?

MAY