Solve the puzzle to collect the letters for the first part of the clue

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Across
  1. 3. george's lifeline (7)
  2. 4. 1990 romance thriller
  3. 7. snake (5)
  4. 8. contnient seperator (5)
  5. 9. red fruit (10)
Down
  1. 1. blood sucking insect (4)
  2. 2. to eastimate (5)
  3. 5. time away from home (6)
  4. 6. maths branch that studies shape (8)