on tenterhooks

角田光代の "The Eighth Day" (原題　八日目の蝉)を読んでいます。
Stopping the van in parks and in the courtyards of apartment blocks, the woman hesitantly called out, "Hello there everyone," through her microphone. At some stops there were no customers at all, while at others young mothers with children or middle-aged housewives gathered around to buy vegetables and bread. Asked to help, I got down from the van and, still carrying Kaoru in her sling, took the money and passed out whatever the customers wanted in return. I was on tenterhooks, afraid someone would say they'd seen me in the paper, but with hardly a glance at me the women all turned to Kaoru, patting her on the head, asking her name and how old she was. Each time, I duly answered.
赤ちゃんを誘拐して逃げ回っている主人公 Kiwakoは犯罪人ですが、愛情を持って赤ちゃんを必死に育てている姿を読んでいると、情が移って捕まらなければ良いなと思ってしまいます。
さて、"on tenterhooks" の意味が分からないので調べます。
・Oxford English Dictionary: In a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event.: he was on tenterhooks waiting for the director's decision
・Collins Dictionary: in a state of tension or suspense: He was still on tenterhooks waiting for his directors' decision about the job.
・Cambridge English Dictionary: worried or nervous about something that is going to happen: We were on tenterhooks all morning waiting for the phone to ring.