This is a woman though who went to spend time with a cat, one weekend, leaving the two lodgers to their own devices as usual. There was no reason why they couldn't have been with her, given that they must spend a lot of time at the granny's house anyway.She said she's hardly been at home for the past week. So she was either hanging round the hospital or camped out in Ann's or another Aunt or Uncle's house. Now I'm not suggesting she shouldn't have been visiting him or spending time with his family. But a week away from yoyr own home when you have 3 kids seems excessive to me.
And yes, I presume their dad was with the lodgers, but yet again, it was her using any excuse at all to be away from them.