| MAKEACONFESSION | Concede 24 across is absent with 22 across (4,1,10) |
| THERESNOTELLING | It's impossible to know with certainty as raconteur is absent? (6,2,7) |
| FIREINONESBELLY | Desperate fight with 24 across is fashionable with 23 down in human storage facility (4,2,3'1,5) |
| STRAIGHTSHOOTER | Frank Small from 24 across is in hospital - all one will say is it comes from the hip (8,7) |
| PAIDFORONESSINS | 24 across is in favour of 23 down and 10 across getting compensated for lapse (4,3,4,4) |
| ASHARP | Absent with clever note (1,5) |
| AMITIES | Friendships absent with times changing around one? |
| OPPOS | Partners from corps oddly absent, with inducement to return |
| INTERNAL | Trainee absent with novice located inside (8) |
| ONLEAVE | Absent with permission (2,5) |
| AWAY | Absent (with the fairies?) (4) |
| MISSING | Absent with location unknown |
| EXCUSED | Absent with permission |
| MACAW | Parrot of old lady put with cashew when she is absent |
| TUSKS | What facial feature is absent in all animals with horns? (5) |
| DEPUTY | Assistant with power to act when his superior is absent (6) |
| EDUCE | Draw out with lure when leader is absent (5) |
| HYENA | Risible beastly type in hot Asian capital is absent (5) |
| HAHA | It's humorous for His Holiness admitting answer is absent (2-2) |
| TRUANT | One is absent without permission (6) |
