False pretences - Margaret Yorke

Although she hadn't seen her god-daughter for several years, Isabel feels duty-bound to help when Emily gets into trouble and takes her under her wing. To her surprise Emily is determined not to be a sponger and gets herself a job as nanny. Emily discovers her charge is illegitimate, the offspring of the nave daughter of a well-to-do couple and a ne'er-do-well conman who disappeared before the baby was born. Now, unknown to Emily, he is back and determined to exploit his status as parent in return for some cash, and she is violently caught up in his botched attempts at blackmail. Desperately trying to protect her charge from physical and psychological harm, Emily also tries to shield Isabel from becoming entangled in the drama. Then events beyond her control force her to act instinctively but with horrendous effect as her own and other lives are put at risk. Once again Margaret Yorke uses the effect of extraordinary events on every day lives to gripping effect in a tense and chilling novel of suspense.