R is a working woman who fights her own battles, but she does enjoy the company of a group of "uncles" who support her with business and investment advice.

These uncles meet regularly for fine dining and mahjong and she is always invited.

However, one evening when she opened the door on the usual VIP mahjong party there were no mahjong tables. Instead, just a small dining table for two with candles lit.

That night Uncle P revealed his plan to buy R a flat for the purpose of "keeping" her.

Meanwhile, M has been dating a regular, decent, mature, extremely knowledgeable man - with no noticeable bad habits - for months.

ADVERTISEMENT

The relationship is steady, he treats her very well but she senses a lack of passion.

In fact, she sometimes has to look for topics to sustain a night's conversation.

R and M turned to friends for advice. A good number told them to go ahead, citing Lori Gottlieb's Marry Him! The Case for Settling for Mr Good Enough in support.

The author says women over 30 should stop looking for Mr Good and marry Mr Good Enough.

I jokingly told R and M that I am not in a position to offer any advice, since I am busy dealing with Cupid's arrows myself.

But I guess it depends on whether you are serious about the "missing-piece" theory. If you are, there can only be one missing piece.

TV hostess and disc jockey Jacqueline Pang takes the passing years in her stride.

jpangching@gmail.com