This crossword No. 12048 clues and answers were published on Thu 18 Dec 2008 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 12048 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Grease : LUBRICATE
8-across – Large salt water fish : TUNA
9-across – Message for February 14 : VALENTINE
10-across – Melody : TUNE
13-across – Show blatant disregard for : FLOUT
15-across – Black and white member of crow family : MAGPIE
16-across – White fur of stoat : ERMINE
17-across – Quantity : AMOUNT
19-across – Prohibitionist – flag : BANNER
20-across – Slobber : DROOL
21-across – Deception : HOAX
24-across – Large boil-like inflammation – gemstone : CARBUNCLE
25-across – Subdivision of a religion : SECT
26-across – Mental concentration : ATTENTION
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – US state, capital Salt Lake City : UTAH
3-down – Reduce a sail’s surface – shipping hazard : REEF
4-down – Oxen, cows, bulls etc : CATTLE
5-down – Organ of taste : TONGUE
6-down – Profuse : LUXURIANT
7-down – Be encouraged : TAKEHEART
11-down – Understand and feel as another person does – time phase : EMPATHISE
12-down – Lack of knowledge : IGNORANCE
13-down – Devilish person : FIEND
14-down – Test : TRIAL
18-down – Unauthorised absentee from school : TRUANT
19-down – Woolly ball : BOBBLE
22-down – Small biting fly : GNAT
23-down – Counter-tenor : ALTO
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.