EV 895

[devadolly]

Help! SOS! Mayday, Mayday! To all EV N & C'ers. Only half a paper in my papershop today and the bit that is missing is LIFE, hence no EV. Can anyone supply on of those clever link things (as I'm not a member of the Xword club) that are totally beyond me? Many thanks
In such a panic, it's also on the Quizzes bit..........................................
...............

[DocHH]

Hello Christiana,
Chambers also defines vivid as "full of life", that was how I justified the entry at 24d. I am also baffled by the 4, albeit completed, unclued entries, so can offer no guidance at all on those. When it comes to subjects historical or classical I am an absolute Philistine! Given my age history seems to also include remembering why I went upstairs for something!!
Hope you shake off the family inflicted illness quickly, perhaps you should tell your son if he does that again you will disinherit him!!
Finally I would like to wish all the EV N&C Wine Clubbers a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. Sorry, but I don't have any cards to post here!

[dr b]

I was trying to arrange the 4 unclued entries to form a cryptic definition of the rival (1 across would get you started) but was not able to come up with anything satisfactory.

[slaney]

A very Happy New Year to all...

..and as regards the four unclued lights, the order is 9d, 38a, 1a and 29d.

[Christiana]

Thanks for all your help, Slaney - finished now.

[dr b]

Ah. Here I was trying to form the rival's last name only. Duh.