Long time inside after all (3)

I believe the answer is:

era

'long time' is the definition.
(a long period of time)

'inside after all' is the wordplay.
'inside' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ERA' is hidden within 'after all'.

(Other definitions for era that I've seen before include "Major division of geological time" , "Are involved in time span" , "Distinct period in history" , "Aeon" , "Stage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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