I found this much tougher than usual from Quixote. Solving time, 43 mins.
* = anagram < = reversed
ACROSS
1 ME A LIE Very inventive.
5 CRACK UP Double definition
9 STEW A very well-disguised hidden – TaSTE Was
10 ESPIONAGE (Page one is)*
11 CAPE FINISTERRE (I can prefer site)* Though the anagram stood out, did not get this till I’d all the crossing letters. It’s the westernmost part of Spain, apparently.
14 EVA BR AUN(t) (Brave)* Companion of Adolf Hitler.
15 TEA S E S First letters. Clever clue
17 STAR CH (Companion of Honour)
19 YES AND NO A clever, amusing, double definition.
21 ANTIPERSPIRANT (Spare part in tin)*
22 CON (S TRUC) T (curt s)< s = skirt initially
25 VEIL “Vale”
26 TIPP (L) ED
27 H (A R) OLD 1066 and all that.
DOWN
2 EXTRA VAG(r)ANT
3 LOW GEAR Another excellent clue.
5 C APRI(l)
6 ADOPTEE Was held up here by first writing in ‘adopted’ but the clue very clearly points to a noun. An only barely cryptic definition, but the wording suggested it might be a normal definition/wordplay clue.
7 KEA Hidden
8 P (RE T) ENSION
12 RESIDENTIAL (aliens tried)*
13 PERSIAN CAT (Ascertain p)* p = origin of pussy
16 DES PATCH
18 CAPITAL Double defintion
20 A R-RIVER A river flows.
22 ROUND Double definition
24 NIP pin<