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I'm getting much better at these and usually manage to finish them unaided now (!!)
However, altho I've completed today's, I'm stuck on the parsing of 5A: Confront Bill with fine (5)
The answer is 'face' = confront (definition)
Ac from bill; F from fine - but where does the E come from?
Help much appreciated!

Face is 4 letters.
You are showing 5?

Sorry, Rusty, another typo - it should be 4! I'm certain that face is correct - just can't account for the 'e'?

Hi Elle, you're showing (5) but I'm assuming (4). I don't have the newspaper but if the last letter isn't a crosser might the answer be fact?
An archaic definition of fact is a crime a con.
Splitting confront into con front bill with fine could give (f)act, f = fine + bill = act.

I agree with Ginge.

Thanks, ginge and Rusty. No, the last letter isn't a crosser, so it could be 'fact' .
But I'm still trying to get my head round this!I
I've been trying to find the archaic definition of 'fact'? (not that I'm doubting you!! but I'd like to see it for myself ) Where you get it from, please?

Chambers Dictionary.

Hi again Elle, it is only a suggestion but I use a hardback 10th edition of Chambers.

Thank you, both, for your help - I've got an older edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary - it doesn' t give it in there. Maybe time to buy a newer version!

In my humble opinion, Elle, the best single volume dictionary is Chambers.
I got one on Amazon last year. It was second hand, in great condition. Cost less than a fiver, delivered.