Across

1 Entitlement of one appearing at the maternity hospital? (10)

7 Dickens accepting article from Ruth’s husband (4)

9 Explain counters being moved (8)

10 Maiden, one by river, I am? (6)

11 A mule’s transporting prophet (6)

12 Narrate story given by blabbermouth (8)

13 King, the man with punishment, one taking firm hold, we hear (5,7)

16 Not right redesigning a secret corner for it to be set apart for holy use again (12)

19 Calvin starts to be nauseous, upset by wine (3,5)

20 Like some leased property, terribly subtle (6)

21 Margaret goes round Welsh town’s undrained boggy area (6)

22 Hardly covered! (4-4)

23 Reuben’s mother in trouble ahead (4)

24 Lay chap led around in part of church (4,6)

Down

2 Pagan’s confession as a procrastinator? (8)

3 After match duo played in shelter (7)

4 River and its name in the country (5)

5 Youngest boy or girl at bottom of the tree? (5-10)

6 Timothy asleep, having gone out in the interval (4-5)

7 Bishop with new attire — top gear! (7)

8 Like ground in biblical story, not soft (6)

14 Michael’s port? (9)

15 Cheapest way to travel always in part of the journey (8)

16 Biblical female presenting special beaker to husband . . . (7)

17 . . . she offering a beer, doubly cold, possibly! (7)

18 Very little time (6)

20 Endurer of suffering turns to icy to some extent (5)

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