Complete
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7 9 13 16 5 18 1 10 2 8 15 14 3 12 11 4 17 6
  1. 5a Avoid awkwardness when meeting for the first time (5,3,3)
  2. 7a Sudden unexpected departure (4)
  3. 8a One who claims to heed the voice of the people (8)
  4. 9a Large cushion filled with foam or granules for sitting on (7)
  5. 11a Vindictiveness (5)
  6. 13a Turn out (5)
  7. 14a Associate (7)
  8. 16a Grendel and Godzilla? (8)
  9. 17a Something tedious and boring (4)
  10. 18a It gets orders to execute (6,5)
  11. 1d Portable outdoor shelter (4)
  12. 2d Where drivers learn to deal with slippery conditions (7)
  13. 3d Mediterranean herb, ingredient in a bouquet garni (5)
  14. 4d Wheels would come off the axle without it (8)
  15. 5d Unassailable (11)
  16. 6d What can hold things together — it's balanced (anag) (7,4)
  17. 10d Vessel said to have grounded on Mount Ararat (5,3)
  18. 12d Own (7)
  19. 15d Implied (5)
  20. 17d Medication (4)