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Finally getting round to doing crossword late today. Can't seem to finish off / understand two clues
29ac ( 8) Macavity - b-e-t---
27d (4) Drop ball ---d
I'm thinking about Absentee for former, but don't understand why .
Any help as usual, much appreciated.
Also , assuming Grab is solution to 10d, but can't seem to parse that to Grouse?

27d BEAD? Double definition

I Have CRAB for 10d, to grouse, and a type of winch

There was a clue given in the other WS thread that Macavity was the cat who was never there, so I guess absentee would fit.

Thanks as ever Mattrom. Not sure I would have got any of these, even if I had been fully awake!