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When Benedict had asked if they could go to a festival… Sophie had no idea what to expect. She didn’t really want to but all the Bridgerton couples had wanted to go and had great memories of festivals from when they were younger…
Kate had always wanted to go, Anthony, despite his reservations at Kate being Pregnant agreed to get tickets, Colin and Penelope wanted it, Simon and Daphne managed to get a babysitter for their two girls, Frankie and Michael were up for it and surprisingly even Eloise’s new boyfriend Phillip, who hated being around too many people had been eager to go, so Sophie felt like she couldn’t really say no.
And the puppy dog eyes Benedict had given her… well she was powerless to resist them.
She’d never been to a festival before so it was all new to her, as thousands of people descended on Somerset, Sophie was struggling to see what all the fuss was about.
So here she was, wellies on her feet as it had rained for a week straight, stood outside of the her and Benedict’s caravan thing, Anthony (on behalf of Kate) and Daphne both refused to camp in a tent… for different reasons, so each couple had hired a caravan for the weekend.
She was 5”4 on a good day and nearly a foot below her ridiculously tall fiancée could see nothing. She watched everyone else having a good time, even 5 month pregnant Kate seemed to be vibrating with excitement and joy but Sophie was just, she felt so out of place.
Everyone was really excited and separated off to go see the acts and the events they wanted. Phillip had dragged Eloise off to go Blossoms, Daphne and Simon went off one way, Colin was of course hungry and looking forward to the food trucks, dragged Penelope off there and Michael and Frankie followed leaving Sophie, Kate, Anthony and Benedict to head over to the main stage.
Sophie had to admit, she was enjoying the music but being unable to see anything was just a pain. Even Kate who was a little taller was able to just about see, Sophie couldn’t even see the screens but she was determined not to be a spoilsport and so she plastered a smile on her face and did her best to enjoy it and she did rather like Muse so even just hearing them Live she has to admit she was lucky.
On the Saturday they’d managed to get near the front the next day so she’d been able to see a little more for Madness, which she was grateful for as Madness had been one of her mother’s favourites from what she could remember so it was nice to be able to listen to a piece of her… she’d been able to have a dance with Kate and the other girls. Michael had picked her up and spun her around and danced with Benedict well that always made her happy, so she did feel a little more in the spirit.
By the time they saw Adele that night though, she was back to not being able to see, Benedict had his arms around her for the most part, and she did giggle as she saw the boys all singing along to it, they thought they’d been sneaky but she saw Anthony getting a little emotional as Skyfall was performed.
By the time the encore was on, Sophie was clinging to Benedict in a desperate bid not to cry as he moved in time with When We Were Young with her, she might not have been able to see but she felt the magic again that night and she’d tingled all the way through her core.
Everyone chatted and talked happily about the show on the way back, “God did you see when she brought that little girl on the stage” Daphne said, “I know! I thought I was going to cry with happiness!” Kate said brightly
“It was so bloody cute!” Francesca added as the girls all chatted happily, holding on to their respective husbands or boyfriends hands as they walked back to their sites.
“What did you think of it Soph?” Eloise asked innocently, wondering why Sophie had been so quiet.
Sophie shrugged “well…” she felt herself go bright red “I couldn’t see anything…” she said quietly.
“What…?” Penelope asked, “Penelope was about the same height as Sophie “I could?”
Sophie nodded “I know but you had a bit of a better spot and well Colin did lift you up… it’s been the same for everything really” she said quietly not wanting to upset Benedict or make herself sound petulant or jealous.
Benedict had seen Penelope on shoulders and hadn't even given it a second thought that Sophie was about the same height as Penelope…
Benedict blinked and looked down at Sophie “have you not been able to see anything???” he said looking mortified.
Sophie shrugged “I saw some of Madness earlier when we were near the front and the screens but… no”
By this point they were back at the caravans so everyone deserted Benedict and Sophie, no one wanted to get involved in this. Rule number one… don’t get involved in a siblings relationship. Rule number two… don’t get involved in another couples fight… so they all scarpered.
Benedict looked perplexed and dragged her into their caravan “Why didn’t you say anything Soph? I mean I know you were reluctant to come but…”
“Ben… I'm having a good time… I just… I'm a short arse.” Sophie attempted to joke… “You’ve been really enjoying yourself so because you hadn’t noticed I didn’t want to make a fuss. I didn’t want to be a spoilsport for everyone” she said, pulling off her wellies.
Benedict pulled her into his arms “we’ll we shall fix that tomorrow… but you’re not a spoil sport Soph. I should have realised, especially since Pen has been on either Colin or Michael’s shoulders… hell even El was on Phillips at one point…”
Sophie chuckled “it’s fine Ben… not everyone is a tall lanky git like you” she teased “but you don’t have to do anything, I have had a good time. Really…” she said honestly.
“Don’t care…” he grinned as he kissed her “you’re going to have the best time tomorrow... “
And as Sophie sat on Benedict’s shoulders, his hands tight on her legs, watching from the best view on the pitch, as Coldplay belted out “A Sky Full of Stars”, and she could hear Benedict singing the song with them, and as she looked down at Benedict smiling up at her, this was such a heavenly view, the song perfect for them, perfect for the moment.
She was forced to admit that maybe Festivals weren’t too bad after all.