Sunday Express Skeleton

[NickyM]

7a Guy from Cuba turned bad c-i-e
12a Dead person left to rot, initially -----
17a Star of Hnnibal back in a city --l-r--
6d Equivalent section of a worktop -o-----p---
9d Seriously, nine divided by ten's out e-----t--

Thanks for any help. I always used to be able to finish the Xword but clues seem to get harder.

[daniela31]

Clive
Goner
Polaris
Counterpart
Earnestly

[joannasevs]

7a clive
12a goner
17a polaris
6d counterpart
9d earnestly

[Totterdown]

I have already put earnestly for 9d and posted it off, but can somebody explain the answer. I can understand nest (tens out) in early, but why does nine mean early?

[puzzlesRus]

Totterdown The compiler must be a late riser, who considers 9am to be early :-)

[Totterdown]

Oops! Didn't think of that. Thanks PuzzlesRus.