Little sister left some clothes at my house, so I went to drop them back on my way back from somewhere else (they live 25 miles away from me, I don't drive, so figured I'd do it whilst that side of the county) , 16yo Dbro answers the door, asked if my mum was about and got no, they've gone away for a few days. Fine, I assumed they'd taken the younger ones and left 16yo with big bro (who is back from uni)
Waiting for the bus 12yo taps me on the shoulder, on his way to get shopping, offer him a hand (they live up a big hill and he had quite a long list to get) get chatting and it turns out parents have been gone since Monday, just 16yo and 12 yo home, they have been told to tell everyone 18yo sis is there, she's not, she's at her boyfriends, she has popped in but isn't there at night. Big bro has gone with my parents, they have had issues with the neighbours for years so they certainly aren't checking in. Parents are in the middle of nowhere with no phone, so totally uncontactable. They were due back yesterday but used a payphone to say they would be a few more days (no exact time given)
16yo is very sensible and probably fine on his own but I dont think it's fair to expect him to look after the just turned 12yo that long. They get on ok but like any brothers they do argue and 12yo can be a handful.
I'm quite happy to have them at mine or stay there with them, as I have in previous years, but I've fallen out with 18yo sis and my parents aren't talking to me.