Home at last!. Just getting ready to view (recording) of Masterchef. Wonder if Ari ever gets to see Masterchef? Great stuff for a trencherman like him. Nice to see GK, Jazzy (x), Andyc and ab also. ab got 'em all with fine explanations.. I'm sure you were kicking yourself Ari, about "mailed", lol.
Although no need to post my workings, I'll do so anyway. Maybe someone uses them to help get a grip on "cryptics".
1. SORORITY. It’s “in” there (keeping)
2. MAILED (cryptic)
3. anag (when working) of “bars pet” = breastp; lake = lough; and “by” gives breatsp + lough = BREASTPLOUGH = turf cutter (see Chambers)
4. oily females = fat hens; “with ..... following”; short period = tim(e) + on + o (opening o{bservations}); yielding tim + on + o + fat + hes = TIMON OF ATHENS = play.
5. subtractive anagram (leaving & puzzled) of “US mega-expert” – “stamp” = EXERGUE (see Chambers)
Thank you very much for the nice comments. Have a lovely week.