The story begins with Charlie, grandson of a barrow costermonger. It is set in a typical working day of an east end costermonger. The term "costermonger" first appeared in written English language in the early 16th century. Charlie goes about the business of costermonger, rearranging the shop and doing great business. A costermonger was a street seller of fruit and vegetables. Their earliest material was released on the Costermonger label (home to Gene). In London more specific terms were used, such as costermonger. Charles Knight's "London", published in 1851, also notes that a costermonger was originally an apple-seller.