Cryptic crossword No 789

Thoroughly impressed with your construction here, really well done Mary! I've thought about telling a story across some of the clues, but to weave such poetry throughout your across clues was lovely, and some very inventive clueing composed throughout - bravo! I particularly liked 5a (neat), 9a (very neat), 12a (lovely wordplay), 13a (lovely assembly), 19a (very neat), 22a (lovely def), 27a (satisfying construction), 29a (fun), 3d (fun), 5d (very neat), 7d (neat), 18d (clean), 23d (clever...

Well this is a tour de force! Bravo 👏 What a clever idea and such a good execution. And at the same time, some very clever clues. I needed to tackle the downs first to get a foothold, and the Check button got a workout towards the end, but the whole thing was hugely enjoyable. Thanks and well done 👏

Enjoyed watching this on Panthera's solve, Mary. Congratulations on a very imaginative and well-executed creation. Very clever.