Amy Winehouse_ The Biography - Chas Newkey-Burden [79]
With Blake’s imprisonment and Amy’s erratic tour performances making the couple an obsession for the tabloid press, it was inevitable that Blake’s mother would speak out. It was reported that Georgette Civil said that she was ‘delighted’ that her son was in prison and also claimed that he too felt it was for the best. ‘Blake’s more focused now than he has been in years,’ she said. ‘He’s finally taking responsibility for his behaviour, too, and accepts that he and Amy are totally responsible for the mess they’re in. Now he’s using the time in prison to overcome his drug habit.’ She revealed that her son spent his time in prison exercising and reading.
Civil also tried to bring to the public’s attention the ‘true’ Blake. ‘Looking at him all dishevelled, gaunt and unkempt, it’s hard to remember the bright teenager who won a place at a great local school, who had so much promise.
‘It was hugely upsetting to see my son portrayed as some sort of monster who was accused of supplying his wife with heroin and cocaine and I worried terribly that someone would harm Blake as a result. Then there are my two other sons, aged fourteen and fifteen, whose hearts are breaking seeing their big brother being portrayed like this.’
Georgette Civil concluded of Blake, ‘He wants her to feel as if they’re still sharing life and he’s with her every day. Blake thinks that if Amy has a little thing to do for him each day that’ll propel her on, give her something to work towards and get her out of bed in the morning.’
Meanwhile, reports of Amy’s emotional state varied wildly. One report had her making admiring small talk over Big Brother contestant Chantelle Houghton’s breasts at a newsagent’s. ‘Look at Chantelle’s tits – I want a pair like that!’ Amy is said to have told fellow shoppers.
‘Chantelle’s boob job obviously made a big impression on her,’ a source told the Daily Star. ‘Amy is desperate to make Blake happy and in her mixed-up mind having a boob op could be just the job.’ Mitchell meanwhile reported, ‘Amy was visited by a doctor last night. And we’re seeing to it that she’s monitored very carefully, every single day. So far we’re pleased with the way things are going. We’re keeping a very close eye on her.’
Which was just as well, if the words of an unnamed friend of Amy’s were to be believed. The friend told a newspaper, ‘Amy’s had her problems but she’s really terrified this time. She’s teetering on the brink. She’s already hatched a suicide pact with Blake. If they’re both handed lengthy jail sentences she’s determined they’ll end it together rather than face years apart. She can’t live without Blake. Her family are worried sick.’
The question of Amy’s being handed a lengthy jail sentence came about when she was arrested and questioned over the alleged bribery plot on suspicion of which her husband was already in custody. By this time, as we have seen, Blake and five other men had been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, though denying all charges. Police then turned their attentions to Amy, confiscating her mobile-phone records, bank details and computer software. Officers also visited the singer’s accountants, the London-based firm Smallfield Cody, in an attempt to track her financial dealings.
‘A twenty-four-year-old woman has been bailed to return to an east London police station on a date in early March pending further enquiries,’ said a police spokesperson on Amy’s arrest. ‘She attended a police station voluntarily and at a pre-agreed time.’ A spokesman for Amy said, ‘She was arrested but that is common practice for someone being interviewed by police. There have been no charges and she has been released.’
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