Katie Holmes stepped out with a curvier tummy recently, sparking a frenzy of speculation she's having her second child.

Ever since she married Tom Cruise and became best pals with Victoria Beckham, Katie's kept a close eye on her figure with a diet largely built around sashimi.

She's currently in New York attending final rehearsals for her Broadway debut in the Arthur Miller play All My Sons. Katie was spotted last week showing signs of a possible baby bump. It's unlikely the 29-year-old actress has been overindulging in calorie-rich foods, so we have to ask - could she be pregnant again?

Playtime pals

Katie was relaxed and contented when she played in a New York park with two-year-old Suri. The pair enjoyed some special mother-daughter bonding as Katie pushed Suri
on a swing, played on a 'driving wheel' and even braved climbing kiddie-sized stairs.

An onlooker says: 'Katie and Suri were laughing and playing together and obviously having a great deal of fun. It was lovely to see Katie looking so happy.'

Katie's really enjoying being in the Big Apple as she finds she has more freedom than she does in LA. There she has to have a driver and a bodyguard when she takes her daughter out for the day, but in New York she can do exactly as she pleases.

Signs of a sibling

There's also more to support the theory Suri may soon have a little brother or sister to play with, as Katie's given up sashimi - raw fish is a no-no for expectant mums. A waiter at trendy New York Italian eatery Orso reveals to New Idea Katie ate twice
as much as usual on a recent visit.

'She and Tom come in whenever they're in New York,' the waiter explains. 'Usually Katie will have our baked artichoke and white bean salad - that's her favourite. It's usually an appetizer, but she's always seemed like a light eater.

'But this time she shared a rigatoni with meat sauce with Tom, then Katie had
our cod with pancetta, which comes with mashed potatoes,' our source says.

'Tackling that after half a rigatoni would be a task for most guys, never mind Katie! I wasn't the only person that night who was thinking she seemed to be eating for two.'

Best role yet

Katie's play All My Sons doesn't open until September, so Katie will get to play in New York with Suri for a little while longer.

She'd hoped to use the prestige of a successful Broadway run as a springboard for more serious film roles, shedding her girl-next-door image. Tom, however, sees things differently, telling Katie when it's over he wants her to expand their family.

Despite her Broadway debut looming, motherhood's obviously her favourite role. And it seems she's ready to do it again. Who knows, maybe in the near future Suri will have a baby brother or sister.

By Henry Meller