Samuel and Mary ran a boarding house at, 62 Reeds Avenue, Blackpool, moving down to the Midlands in 1927. Here they ran 'The Pleck Stores' in Sidemoor. Their most famous client was Sir Edward Elgar who collected groceries from them. He would drive down Crabtree Lane in a pony and trap, from Grafton House where he used to stay.

Mary was a pianist who gave lessons to the local inhabitants.

Samuel had a milk cart, which was pulled by a faithful horse. He was an asthmatic and Mary was always concerned when he was over due home. On one occasion he was terribly late and panic set into the Underwood household. The horse and cart was eventually spotted coming down the road without its driver. Fearing the worst, Mary ran out to meet it. In the bottom of the cart was Samuel's unconscious body. Dragging him out of the back she carried him into the house and placed him in their bed. Then she smelt his breath: he was blind drunk. He was soon forgiven. It was Christmas and his customers' generosity caused his condition.