Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

The preamble is still mystifying me, but help with 10A might help. Clue reads Positive initiative gripping independent one from Seven Sisters. (6)but there may be a letter missing - I have ??Ei?D. Also need help with 4D. Top Gun -anyone can see Tom's ultimate part (7) ???I??M

Pleiad ?

p - positive
initiative - lead
independent - i
pleiad - one of the Seven sisters

Gallium ?

Maximum, top
Maxim, gun
U, anyone can see
M, tom's ultimate

Thank you. Actually guessed maximum but did not realise why!

Now I have completed grid but cannot suss out how to change my animals. Anyone out there with a big hint?

3 letter animal in 1a becomes 4 letter animal
8 unchecked letters is name of a pig in the book

Thank you all again. If you still have this around, I now find I am not happy with 7d and 19a. Can you be so minded to put me out of my quandary?

Ignore last post. I am cracking up