Something so important about Michelle and James as characters is how it’s implicitly suggested that they are frequently left to their own devices. Both Deirdre and Martin work demanding jobs, that’s why the Quinns take them along on holiday to Portnoo.
They’re clearly latchkey kids, they probably go home to an empty house every night of the week. Another indicator is how they both frequently quote or reference movies, like i can just picture them sitting on the sofa together, plates of beans on toast because neither of them can cook and watching films together while the adults are on night shifts.
And that’s how it’s always been for Michelle, she’s probably spent countless hours alone/unsupervised. But then she has James, and of course she can’t let on but she quickly realises that it’s really nice to have him around? Like maybe it’s better than being on her own and raiding the drinks cupboard? So when he tells her he’s leaving and going back to England, you can see how hurt she is, and you just know there’s so much more going on beneath the surface. Like in that moment she’s imagining what it would be like to go back to how it was before and it’s then that she realises James isn’t just a family member she’s been stuck with, he’s her friend, and if he leaves she’ll really miss him!! You can see how badly she wants him to stay!!
Honestly is it any wonder why they’re always round at the Erin’s, where there is always an extra seat at the kitchen table and someone to wash your uniform and a cup of tea close at hand? Where it’s loud and warm and chaotic and feels like home?
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