“That’s where you made your mistake.” Gertie sighed and moved on to the next table. “Like me. I think I must be getting old.”

Pansy laughed. “How can you be old when you’re not yet thirty?”

“I feel old.” She straightened a place setting on the table, then placed the shakers above it. “I’ve been seeing Dan forever, it seems, and yet he still hasn’t asked me to marry him.”

“He will. Some blokes like to take their time with things like that.”

Gertie pulled a face. “Some blokes don’t want to get tied down, neither. Can’t say as I blame him, what with me having the twins and all. They can be a bit of a handful.”

“Well, they’re with their nanny in London right now, aren’t they?”

Gertie nodded. “Daisy took them up there to see her sister, Doris, perform in a pantomime. They’ll be staying with Doris until they come back Christmas Eve.”

Pansy grinned. “Well, now’s your chance. You got some free time on your hands. Make the most of it. Go romancing with your Dan and make him propose.”

“It’s all right for you.” Gertie stomped over to the next table. “You’re skinny and pretty and not yet twenty-one. I’m big and clumsy and the mother of twins. What chance do I have of getting a man to marry me?”

“Go on with you. Any man would be lucky to have you for a wife. You’re funny and clever and you like taking care of people. A man likes that in a woman.”

Gertie had to smile. “You want to tell Dan that?”

“I will. The very next time he comes over.”

If he comes over, Gertie thought, as she carried the empty tray back to the dresser. He’d been making excuses lately, and it worried her. Everything seemed to bother her lately. Maybe she was just missing the twins. Or maybe she was seeing her chances of getting married again slipping away.

“Come on, cheer up,” Pansy said behind her. “It’s Christmas. Where’s your Christmas spirit?”