WHEN the black Mercedes people carrier pulled out of the driveway to take Kyle Walker to the airport ahead of a life-changing flight to Italy, talk naturally turned to a fresh start. For those invested in this long-running scandal - and indeed, the uninitiated - that's certainly how it was framed. After 12 miserable months, the former Manchester City skipper was finally on the cusp of escaping a scandal of his own making - and one that has hooked the country with every one of its twists and turns.

But as the car eased through the gates of the family's sprawling Cheshire mansion, there was little euphoria - and even less optimism - about his move to Italian giants AC Milan. Beneath the murky slate grey skies above Manchester, he left a home devoid of any joy or excitement. In fact, friends tell me he and estranged wife Annie Kilner were in separate rooms and could not even bring themselves to say goodbye to one another.

One said: "That's how strained things are at the moment. It's as bad as it's ever been. "He didn't even sit her down and discuss moving to Italy. He just said 'I'm going, it's up to you if you come with me'. "They're not in a great place and are barely talking. "It's still unclear if Annie will actually join him permanently in Italy. "Everything is up in the air but, then again, it's been like this ever since the scandal was exposed.".

In the days that followed, Kyle was pictured smiling as he signed for his new club on loan and pulled on the iconic shirt of the Rossoneri. He even asked for the number 32 - a nod to David Beckham who was the same age when he arrived at the San Siro. Fans mobbed him in the street outside Milan's Via Dante flagship store as he posed for selfies. But despite the 1,000-mile difference, for all the talk of a fresh start, the drama back home was rumbling on in the background and a new crisis brewing.

Instagram influencer Lauryn Goodman, 34, the ex-mistress whom he secretly fathered two children with, was naturally at its core. She wanted to move abroad too (although she floated the Middle East as a possible destination rather than Italy) and hoped to use the proceeds from renting out the £2.4million mansion he bought her in East Sussex to fund it. Annie hit the roof, and who could blame her?. She was also less than pleased after learning he had flown some of his pals out to Milan to join him.

Annie had planned to fly out to Italy with their boys - Roman, 12, Riaan, nine, seven-year-old Reign and baby Rezon - to watch Kyle unveiled to an adoring crowd in the San Siro. But she pulled out at the last minute. Another source bluntly said: "She had other plans.". She went out partying to celebrate a pal's 40th birthday and they all dressed up as stars from the 90s. Annie, her hair in braids, went as pop singer Christina Aguilera (minus the leather chaps, of course).

One pal described it as a "big f*** you". But as the row deepened, Annie also threatened to miss Kyle's Serie A debut in the 1-1 Milan derby on Sunday . She eventually relented and flew out from Manchester Airport on a private jet. Annie and the boys were photographed arriving in Italy before being reunited with Kyle in the lobby of the five star Melia Milano hotel. Kyle held his toddler son Rezon in his arms and beamed the biggest grin as he waved to fans.

The family were later pictured having dinner together. But beneath the surface, ahead of his San Siro bow, all was not well. One source said: "For a long time now they have operated in a vacuum of volatility. "They don't know any other way of living. "That's how they function. If you look back over the last year they've lurched from one crisis to another. "It's not healthy and everyone around them can see it.

"No one, not even those closest to them, want Annie to join him in Italy. "Kyle's family think the space will do him the world of good, whilst Annie's family can't bear what he's done to her. "They would rather they had a complete break from one another. "If that leads to divorce then so be it, it may be what's best for everyone involved.". The latest row and its fallout was more proof, if any were needed, that a fresh start was only ever an illusion.

Take Christmas, for example. Kyle and Annie smiled for a family photo at the foot of their sweeping staircase wearing matching pyjamas. Again, there was talk of a fresh start: a New Year, a new us. Beyond anyone's wildest expectations (even his), here he was in the family home - albeit banished to the third floor guest room - enjoying Christmas Day a year after he had turned their lives upside down. "[Annie] wants half of his £27million fortune, nothing less. She thinks she's earned it, given everything that he's put her through.

But the harmonious snapshot belied the canyon-like chasm opened up by his many affairs, not least with Lauryn - one which widened ever more after Annie served him divorce papers in August last year. At the time, when I broke the news, the couple were said to be found enjoying a quiet night in at their sprawling home in Cheshire, watching TV in the living room and sharing a sofa together (the only thing missing was a roaring fire).