Daily Mail cryptic 12/8 - stuck on one

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2,12 Down - Cheated about restricted periods in work. (4,5) *a*d t*m*s Seems like 'hard times' but I can't see why.
T.I.A.

[puzzled54]

looks like there will be a dickens connection this week - i can't really see why hard times, but it was answered as that earlier

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Thanks Puzzled. I'll opt for that.
Thanks for such a speedy reply!

[piggling]

Had = cheated round r(estricted)
Times = periods
Hard Times = work by Dickens

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Thanks Pigglin - I understand now.

:-)