Nervous anticipation (8)
I believe the answer is:
suspense
'nervous anticipation' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for suspense that I've seen before include "Doubt" , "Discontinuance - indecision - excitement" , "Nervous anticipation" , "Feeling of excitement or anxiety about what might happen" , "Excitement and uncertainty about an outcome" .)