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Thank you Granama I can go on the endgame:-)

15d - the US is extra in 'cousin'.

I'm nearly there with this but would appreciate a hint on 10a. Can't see definition even!

Lumen, the definition is (a well known) secure (very!) hospital.

Hi Lumen,

10a - Definition is "secure hospital" (a specific one) - first 3 letters are "brock" minus extra letters are CK + 2 letter "promotion" + 4 letter "office" reversed/"west facing".

Grrr. Have got the 5, the curves/lines, the phrase and still can't parse 13a and 23a to give the 2 letters that I'm 99% sure they provide.

....and as always happens, having posted I work out 23a. Hmmm...not the commonest term for interest. Just 13a now.

They're 2 I struggled with as well.

13a - First 3 letters are "operative regularly" + first 2 letters of a 3 letter "was taken in" as in 'conned' or 'fell for'.

23a - First 4 letter letters "fancy" then a 4 letter "interest" (I wouldn't have associated this common word with interest in a million years but Chambers gives it) around single letter "Henry".

All complete:-)

Big thanks to Ploy for a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle.

Doh! I'd used the wrong alternative spelling for greyish-white. No wonder I was looking for the wrong letter for 13a. Done and hallelujah!
Thanks Brendan. I think I need a lie down in a darkened room!

That sounds like a great idea Granama, but not before I've drawn the illustration "in a design of my own choosing" - out come the coloured pens - happy days 😁