Cecilia: You idiot... You realize that's probably the most valuable thing we own?
Robbie: Not anymore it isn't.

Briony: Lola, can I tell you something? Something really terrible?
Lola: Yes please.
Briony: What's the worse word you can possibly imagine?

Robbie: *about the letter* It was a mistake.
Cecilia: Briony read it.
Robbie: I'm so sorry, it was the wrong version.
Cecilia: Yes.
Robbie: It was never meant to be read.
Cecilia: No. *walks away, Robbie follows her* What was in the version I was meant to read?
Robbie: Don't know... it was more formal, and less...
Cecilia: Anatomical?
Robbie: Yes.

Older Briony: So, my sister and Robbie were never able to have the time together they both so longed for... and deserved. Which ever since I've... ever since I've always felt I prevented. But what sense of hope or satisfaction could a reader derive from an ending like that? So in the book, I wanted to give Robbie and Cecilia what they lost out on in life. I'd like to think this isn't weakness or... evasion... but a final act of kindness. I gave them their happiness.

Robbie: Come on, pal. You should be getting dressed.
Briony: If I fell in the river, would you save me?
Robbie: Of course.
*Briony jumps into the water and Robbie dives after her; eventually, he pulls her out of the water and drops her near the bank*
Briony: Thank you, thank you, thank you...
Robbie: That was an incredibly bloody stupid thing to do.
Briony: I wanted you to save me.
Robbie: Don't you know how easily you could have drowned?
Briony: You saved me.
Robbie: You stupid child! You could have killed us both! Is that your idea of a joke?
*she looks at him for a moment, shocked by his tone, but defiant nonetheless*
Briony: I want to thank you for saving my life. I'll be eternally grateful to you.
*he strides away angrily, into the woods, leaving Briony disconsolate amidst the cow parsley*

Cecilia: There isn't much time. Robbie has to report for duty at six and he's got a train to catch. So sit down. There are some things you're going to do for us.
*Briony and Cecilia sit in the kitchen. Robbie leans on the table, looming over them*
Robbie: You'll go to your parents as soon as you can and tell them everything they need to know to be convinced that your evidence was false. You'll go and see a solicitor and make a statement and have it signed and witnessed and send copies to us. Is that clear?
Cecilia: Yes.
Robbie: Then you'll write a detailed letter to me, explaining everything that led up to you saying you saw me by the lake.
Cecilia: Try and include whatever you can remember of what Danny Hardman was doing that night.
Briony: Hardman?
Robbie: Yes!
Briony: It wasn't Danny Hardman. It was Leon's friend, Marshall.
*Cecilia and Robbie look at her, astonished*
Cecilia: I don't believe you.
Briony: He's married Lola; I've just come from their wedding.
*Silence. Finally, Robbie exhales the breath he's been holding, Cecilia looks across at him*
Cecilia: Lola won't be able to testify against him now. He's immune.
*Robbie straightens up and turns away, grappling with a riot of emotions; silence; finally, Briony stands up and speaks, very formal*
Briony: I'm very, very sorry for the terrible distress that I have caused. I'm very, very sorry.
Robbie: Just do as I have asked of you. Write it all down. Just the truth. No rhymes, no embellishments, no adjectives. And then leave us be.
Briony - 18 years old: I will. I promise.