| FRIENDSTOTHEEND | Lifelong companions, and a feature of 17-, 27-, 37- and 45-Across |
| HUMANCAPITAL | Employee knowledge and skills, and a clue to 20-, 27-, 37- and 45-Across |
| CFO | Exec. moneyman, and a hint to 17-, 27-, 37-, 47- and 62-Across |
| LIFEPARTNERS | Companions, and a hint to the ends of 19-, 31- and 41-Across |
| ALICE | Lifelong companion of Gertrude |
| MATE | Lifelong companion |
| WATERFALL | Cascade, and a feature of 17-, 22- and 46- Across? |
| PAIRINGUP | Forming couples, or a feature of 17-, 25-, 36-, and 50- Across |
| MIDDLEPART | Woman's hairstyle option, and a feature of 17-, 27- and 45-Across |
| PRIESTLEY | J. B. -; author of the novel The Good Companions and the play An Inspector Calls (9) |
| JBPRIESTLEY | Author of the novels Good Companions and Angel Pavement |
| TOUCANS | Birds phonetically suggested by a feature of 17-, 27- and 51-Across |
| ELL | Obsolete unit measuring between 37 and 45 inches |
| BOSWELL | Author who formed part of a club with his companion and biography subject Samuel Johnson and other contemporaries including Joshua Reynolds and Edmund Burke (7) |
| SECRETFRIENDS | Kid's imaginary companions, and what's literally found in this puzzle's circles |
| WELLTODO | My companions and I intend to drink primarily, parting very loaded (4-2-2) |
| ASYOUWERE | In our easy bandying, my companions and I relax (2,3,4) |
| PETS | Animals that are kept as companions and cared for affectionately |
| ETC | Some forget companions and others |
| IFIWEREYOU | Lead-in to a bit of advice, and a hint as to how 17-, 24-, 37- and 45-Across might arise |
