As a tiny piece of trivia in the book that adds to McEwan's theme of literary history and his inspiration from Jane Austen's "Norhtanger Abbey," notice that in 1999, the Tallis manor has been renovated and is now "Hotel Tilney."
The opening excerpt from NA is a letter sent to Catherine Morland from Henry "Tilney," where she is being reproached for imagining literary horrors taking place in a well-protected English setting.
The Question and Answer section for Atonement is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
I disagree. Robbie and Cecelia are already in the midst of a relationship when Briony makes her false accusations against Robbie. Possibly, their relatioship might have taken a different course. Maybe their relationship wouldn't have lasted...
Throughout the novel, there are repeated refernces to the "three figures in the garden" from Briony's story. These three mysterious figures foreshadow events that will occur and lend an air of mystery to the story that Briony is telling.
They meet once for half an hour, during Cecilia's lunch break. Their reunion starts awkwardly, but they share a kiss before leaving each other.
