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Hello, Elle!
Yes, just leave the puzzle aside.
There will be another one along tomorrow!
I thought some of the parses were a bit convoluted today.
And given you only started this evening, I think you did well.
My brain does not work properly when I am weary, too.

Good morning, Rusty!
We have a lovely day here......blue sky and sunshine; temperature 19C...and all is fresh and green after yesterday's very heavy rain!
I had an enjoyable (brisk) walk with the dog.
I must start on a general tidying up venture - including my book sorting - as daughter and grandsons are descending on us on Monday for a week.
I must also put on my thinking cap and organise interesting activities for an almost 11 year-old and an 8 year old!
But first...a coffee.....

Good morning, Elle.
Dry and cloudy here.
You will have the "petrichor" after the heavy rain?
How is the book clearance going?
Finished my puzzle early today.
24a, is new to me, but was very gettable with the clue.
A good puzzle!

Hi, Rusty!
I had forgotten about "petrichor"!
I really must stun my fellow dog walkers by using it in conversation on Monday!
Ah, now the book clearance........
Well, I am just having a breather.....
I fear the book sorting is going to be an ongoing project for many months......
The pile of "I'll just read this one more time before I throw it out" is forever growing!
Why ever did I start this?
I am making far more mess than I am clearing up!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I am finding today's puzzle somewhat hard-going...
I did manage "Norn" though... but only because the parsing was so simple, as you had said!
I had to look up the word to check its meaning!
I have made great strides in my book clearance though...I have filled four cardboard boxes so far......
And this in between doing other tasks, and also taking out the dog!
So a good day's work!
How is your day going?

Good evening, Elle!
"Norn" was new to me, but quite easy to deduce from the clue.
Are you persevering or giving up?
Always another one tomorrow!
Well done on the book clearing!
The puzzle was not "terribly" hard I did not think?
I have had a fairly quiet day but my phone has been busy!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, I found the crossword fairly difficult....but I did persevere!
It got better though as I went on.....
But I cannot do
9a: Confined by police - suspect one soundly beaten? (10)
?E?T?E?R??
6d: Drum roll to precede this lottery's result? (7)
T???O?A
18d: Two swimmers, the first heard making complaint (7)
R?I?I?G
What am I missing here?
There were some very nice clues though!
I have only touched the tip of the iceberg with the book sorting out......
I ran out of boxes!

Hello, Elle!
9 "kettled" is being confined by police, suspect is "rum".
6 is "Tombola", but not sure of the parse.
18, "Rai/ray" with "ling".
You can use bin bags if you run out of boxes!

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you.
I have never heard of "kettle" used in that way.
I only know it as a kitchen utensil in which one boils water!
I can see "railing", but do not understand "tombola".
I shall put the book clearance on hold now, until I can get more boxes - and probably time wise until after the family has been.
The books are in very good condition.......they will be better in a box , if the charity shop hopes to sell them.
I reckon I'm probably looking at about a dozen more boxes...if I continue to be "firm" with myself!!
(My resolve may weaken overnight....)

Rusty, Elle, I too puzzled over Tombola - until I remembered the big round ( wooden, I think) drum that used to feature in the my mum's church Christmas Fayre. That was what was spun, then a winning ticket would be pulled out. I assume the 'drum roll' is just the spinning of this?