Mini crossword No 26

A sort of companion piece / little sibling for Cryptic #2482 ... originally set in response to a 'challenge' from Gennaro. This one a bit 'throwaway' perhaps but just to give context for the inspiration behind #2482 - maybe do that one first, as this does give a bit of a ballpark hint ... or maybe that's a good reason to do *this* one first? Well, many thanks if you do decide to try either of them!

Tricky and tricksy! Fave is 2d, great surface image and goes together very satisfyingly

Thanks Fez - what Kateh said. Liked 3a too. Very nicely done as always.

Lovely stuff Fez, thanks for another entertaining mini with a satisfyingly gettable SI. Some great surfaces as always, by top pick's hard to make but I'll give it to 2d

I had to reveal pretty much all of this, but that's no fault of the puzzle, which I admire greatly. My favourite is 3a: the seam between wordplay and definition falling in "Dusty | Springfield" is masterful. 👏