The door opens for Peter Finnigan in 1923 when he is born into a well known family of luxury store owners in the North of England. Peter's early life was spent in a large house on the outskirts of Manchester and included a time at one of Britain's premier Catholic schools. His book includes an account of his family history dating back to the early 1800s, when his ancestors came to England from Ireland. During World War II, Peter served as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy and his experiences are graphically illustrated here. After the war Peter spent some time in Switzerland and the U.S.A. training to enter the family business. He eventually managed the Deansgate shop, Manchester, until the move to Wilmslow, Cheshire, and the subsequent sale of the business.